Amaani Lyle, an African-American woman, was employed as a scriptwriters' assistant at Warner Brothers Television Productions for the writers of the television comedy series,Friends. Her duties included stenographic typing detailed notes for the scriptwriters during brainstorming sessions in which they discussed jokes, dialogue, and story lines. The writers then combed through the notes Lyle typed after the meetings for script material.

During the brainstorming meetings during which Lyle took down the notes, the three male writers told lewd and vulgar jokes and made sexually explicit comments and gestures, and often talked about their personal sexual experiences and fantasies. Some of these discussions were then used in episodes ofFriends.During the meetings, Lyle never complained to the writers or anyone at Warner Brothers that she found the writers' conduct offensive.

After four months, Lyle was fired by Warner Brothers.She was informed by her supervisor that she could not type fast enough to keep up with the writers' comments during the meetings. During her employment interview, she she was informed by the interviewer that typing speed was extremely important to her job and in response, she stated that she could type 80 word per minute. However, Lyle was not given a typing test by Warner Brothers.

After her firing, Lyle filed a wrongful employment discharge lawsuit against Warner Brothers based upon claims ofsexual harassmentandracial discrimination.

1. a. Whatprotected class or classeswould Lyle allege as the basis fora claim filed on her behalf under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act?

b. Would Lyle's claim ofracial discriminationbe based uponintentional (disparate-treatment)orunintentional (disparate impact) discrimination? Explain.

2. Can Lyle likely present sufficient proof to establish aprima faciecase ofracial discrimination? First explain what a prima facie case means, and then why or why not she would meet that standard.

3. a. Would Lyle's claim ofsexual-harassmentbebased uponquid pro quoorhostile work environmentsexual harassment?Explain.

b. What may Warner Brothers assert as a defense tosuch a claim?

4. If the actions described above had occurred in Florida, following an administrative review, in whatcourtcould Lyle bring her suit?

To receive full credit for this assignment:

Answer all questions completely in full sentences. This is an essay exercise.

It is advisable to do research beyond the textbook.

Questions that ask, "Why?" require a logical, well-reasoned explanation.