Question
Dianne Rawlinson sought employment with the Alabama Board of Corrections as a correctional officer. Alabama had established minimum height and weight requirements of 120 pounds
Dianne Rawlinson sought employment with the Alabama Board of Corrections as a correctional officer. Alabama had established minimum height and weight requirements of 120 pounds and 5 feet 2 inches for all correctional officers. These combined requirements excluded 41.13 percent of the female population and less than 1 percent of the male population. Ms. Rawlinson was refused employment because she failed to meet the minimum 120-pound weight requirement. The prison argued that the requirements were necessary because they have a relationship to strength. Ms. Rawlinson filed a charge of discrimination with the EEOC. While her claim was pending, the Alabama Board of Corrections adopted another regulation prohibiting female correctional officers in any maximum-security institution housing men. In those prisons the inmate living area was divided into large dormitories with communal showers and toilets that are open to the dormitories and hallways. The main duty of correctional officers in such a setting is to maintain security. Because of inadequate staff and facilities, no attempt was made in the four maximum-security male prisons to segregate inmates according to their offenses or levels of dangerousness, leading to what some described as a "jungle atmosphere." Ms. Rawlinson then amended her charge to also challenge this regulation. Do you think Ms. Rawlinson was successful on either claim? Think about the arguments Ms. Rawlinson would advance as well as any defenses the employer would raise.
Step by Step Solution
There are 3 Steps involved in it
Step: 1
Get Instant Access with AI-Powered Solutions
See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success
Step: 2
Step: 3
Ace Your Homework with AI
Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance
Get Started