Working on the Coastside

The Fifth Circuit Announces New Standard for Pleading a Title VII Claim

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently announced that Title VII plaintiffs are no longer required to plead an “ultimate employment decision” to properly allege a disparate treatment claim. Applying a strict interpretation of the statutory language, the Fifth Circuit made clear that a Title VII plaintiff can survive a motion to dismiss by pleading adverse actions with respect to “terms, conditions, or privileges of employment.” This decision is a departure from decades-old precedent within the Fifth Circuit requiring a plaintiff to allege disparate treatment with respect to an “ultimate employment decision,” such as hiring, firing, promotions, grants of leave, or compensation. 

Learn More