Amaani Lyle, an African American woman, was hired by Warner Brothers Television

Question

Amaani Lyle, an African American woman, was hired by Warner Brothers Television Productions to be a scriptwriters’ assistant for the writers of Friends, a popular, adult-oriented television series. One of her essential job duties was to type detailed notes for the scriptwriters during brainstorming sessions in which they discussed jokes, dialogue, and story lines. The writers then combed through Lyle’s notes after the meetings for script material. During these meetings, the three male scriptwriters told lewd and vulgar jokes and made sexually explicit comments and gestures. They often talked about their personal sexual experiences and fantasies, and some of these conversations were then used in episodes of Friends.

During the meetings, Lyle never complained that she found the writers’ conduct offensive. After four months, Lyle was fired because she could not type fast enough to keep up with the writers’ conversations during the meetings. She filed a suit against Warner Brothers, alleging sexual harassment and claiming that her termination was based on racial discrimination. Using the information presented in the chapter, answer the following questions.

1.Would Lyle’s claim of racial discrimination be for intentional (disparate-treatment) or unintentional (disparate-impact) discrimination? Explain.

2.Can Lyle establish a prima facie case of racial discrimination? Why or why not?

3.When Lyle was hired, she was told that typing speed was extremely important to the position. At the time, she maintained that she could type eighty words per minute, so she was not given a typing test. It later turned out that Lyle could type only fifty words per minute. What impact might typing speed have on Lyle’s lawsuit?

4.Lyle’s sexual-harassment claim is based on the hostile working environment created by the writers’ sexually offensive conduct at meetings that she was required to attend. The writers, however, argue that their behavior was essential to the “creative process” of writing for Friends, a show that routinely contained sexual innuendos and adult humor. Which defense discussed in the chapter might Warner Brothers assert using this argument?

Explanation / Answer

Solution.

1. Lyle’s claim of racial discrimination is intentional (disparate-treatment) as the information provided in the company Warner Brothers three male scriptwriters told lewd and vulgar jokes and made sexually explicit comments and gestures. They often talked about their personal sexual experiences and fantasies, and some of these conversations were then used in episodes of Friends. Due to all these it is proved that the intentional (disparate-treatment) was made with Lyle.

2. No Lyle cannot establish a prima facie case of racial discrimination as in prima facie case of discrimination an employee can plaintiff if she / he has sufficient evidence to prove that their emplouer discriminated against them. Unless the employer is able to present evidence to the contrary, the employee victim will likely prevail. In the given situation the employee Lyle has no evidence to prove it hence this case cannot be established as a prima facia case.

3. The effect on Lyle's lawsuit would be bad as she mentioned on the joining time her speed for typing is eighty words per minutes but it later turned out that Lylne could type only fifty words per minute. The totally it would be adverse effect for the Lyle as she did not tell the truth as in the company it was required a person with a highly speed.

4. The defense discussed in the chapter might the Warner Brother can assert that the all needed information was given and on the basis of the given topic the discussion was held and there was no intention to harras anyone.

As in the given situation provided by the writers :-

He writes however, argue that their behavior was essential to the “creative process” of writing for Friends, a show that routinely contained sexual innuendos and adult humor.

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