10.11 Civil Rights—Title VII—“Adverse Employment Action” Defined

Comment

The definition of “adverse employment action” in the context of a retaliation claim is different from that in a disparate treatment claim. Whereas an adverse employment action for purposes of a disparate treatment claim must materially affect the terms and conditions of a person’s employment, an adverse action in the context of a retaliation claim need not materially affect the terms and conditions of employment so long as a reasonable employee would have found the action materially adverse, which means it might have “dissuaded a reasonable worker from making or supporting a charge of discrimination.” See Burlington N. & Santa Fe Ry. Co. v. White, 548 U.S. 53, 68 (2006); see also Thompson v. N. Am. Stainless, LP, 562 U.S. 170 (2011) (applying Burlington standard).