Law, Business and Society 11th Edition by Tony McAdams

Exercise 53

"Family Responsibilities Discrimination" (FRD) is gaining recognition. While no express antidiscrimination statutory protection is afforded to parents or caregivers, FRD claims may be based on existing statutes such as Title VII. For example, mothers may face a "maternal wall" in their professional advancement created by sex-based stereotypes, which may result in unlawful disparate treatment based on sex. In May 2007, the EEOC issued an Enforcement Guidance regarding FRD claims [see EEOC Enforcement Guidance: Unlawful Disparate Treatment of Workers with Caregiving Responsibilities at http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/caregiving.html]. Besides avoiding FRD liability, how might an employer benefit from effectively supporting employees' balancing of work and life responsibilities Should parents and other caregivers be given express statutory protection against employment discrimination Explain.