Staub v. Proctor Hospital

Holding: If a supervisor performs an act motivated by bias against the military that the supervisor intends to cause an adverse employment action, and if that act is the proximate cause of the ultimate employment action, then the employer can be held liable under a federal statute that prohibits employment discrimination against members of the armed services. (Kagan, J., recused).

Plain English Holding: If a supervisor, motivated by bias, takes action intended to get an employee fired, and if that act actually causes the employee to get fired, the employee can sue the company for employment discrimination, even if the biased supervisor is not the final decision maker and even if the final decision maker is unbiased.

Judgment: Reversed, 8-0, in an opinion by Justice Antonin Scalia on March 1, 2011. (Kagan, J., recused).