university texas southwestern medical center nassar argued april decided june petitioner university medical center university part university texas system specializes medical education affiliation agreement parkland memorial hospital hospital requires hospital offer vacant staff physician posts university faculty members respondent physician middle eastern descent university faculty member hospital staff physician claimed levine one supervisors university biased account religion ethnic heritage complained fitz levine supervisor arranged continue working hospital without also university faculty resigned teaching post sent letter fitz others stating leaving levine harassment fitz upset levine public humiliation wanting public exoneration objected hospital job offer withdrawn respondent filed suit alleging two discrete title vii violations first alleged levine racially religiously motivated harassment resulted constructive discharge university violation prohibits employer discriminating employee individual race color religion sex national origin referred discrimination second claimed fitz efforts prevent hospital hiring retaliation complaining levine harassment violation prohibits employer retaliation employee opposed unlawful employment practice made title vii charge jury found respondent claims fifth circuit vacated claim affirmed retaliation finding theory retaliation claims brought like claims require showing retaliation motivating factor adverse employment action cause see found evidence supported finding fitz motivated least part retaliate respondent complaints levine held title vii retaliation claims must proved according traditional principles causation lessened causation test stated pp defining proper causation standard title vii retaliation claims presumed congress incorporated tort law causation fact standard proof defendant conduct fact cause plaintiff injury absent indication contrary statute see meyer holley employee alleging discrimination need show causation suffices instead show motive discriminate one employer motives even employer also lawful motives decision principle result price waterhouse hopkins ensuing civil rights act act substituted new framework one endorsed price waterhouse relevant act added new subsection providing unlawful employment practice established complaining party demonstrates race color religion sex national origin motivating factor employment practice even though factors also motivated practice also relevant decision gross fbl financial services interprets age discrimination employment act adea phrase age gross holds two insights inform analysis case first textual concerns proper interpretation term relates principles causation underlying second significance congress structural choices title vii act pp title vii antiretaliation provision appears different section discrimination ban like adea provision gross makes unlawful employer take adverse employment action employee certain criteria given lack meaningful textual difference proper conclusion title vii retaliation claims require proof desire retaliate cause challenged employment action respondent maintain test applies reading flawed first inconsistent provision plain language addresses race color religion sex national origin discrimination says nothing retaliation second reading inconsistent statute design structure congress inserted provision subsection within deals discrimination conclusion congress acted deliberately omitting retaliation claims reinforced fact another part act expressly refers unlawful employment actions see eeoc arabian american oil third cases rely state general proposition congress enactment broadly phrased antidiscrimination statute may signal concomitant intent ban retaliation individuals oppose discrimination see cbocs west humphries potter support quite different rule every reference race color creed sex nationality antidiscrimination statute treated synonym retaliation especially precise complex exhaustive statute like title vii americans disabilities act contains seven paragraphs detailed description practices constituting prohibited discrimination well express antiretaliation provision passed year enactment shows congress elected address retaliation part detailed statutory scheme clearly pp proper interpretation implementation causation standard central importance fair responsible allocation resources judicial litigation systems particularly since retaliation claims made frequency lessening causation standard also contribute filing frivolous claims siphoning resources efforts employers agencies courts combat workplace harassment pp respondent government argue view consistent longstanding agency views contained equal employment opportunity commission guidance manual manual explanations views lack persuasive force necessary precondition deference skidmore swift respondent final argument control price waterhouse standard foreclosed act amendments title vii displaced price waterhouse framework pp vacated remanded kennedy delivered opinion roberts scalia thomas alito joined ginsburg filed dissenting opinion breyer sotomayor kagan joined opinion notice opinion subject formal revision publication preliminary print reports readers requested notify reporter decisions washington typographical formal errors order corrections may made preliminary print goes press university texas southwestern medical center petitioner naiel nassar writ certiorari appeals fifth circuit june justice kennedy delivered opinion law grants persons right compensation injury wrongful conduct must demonstrated connection link injury sustained wrong alleged requisite relation prohibited conduct compensable injury governed principles causation subject often arising elaborating law torts case requires define rules context title vii civil rights act et provides remedies employees injuries related discriminatory conduct associated wrongs employers title vii central federal policy prohibiting wrongful discrimination nation workplaces sectors economic endeavor opinion discusses causation rules two categories wrongful employer conduct prohibited title vii first type called purposes opinion discrimination term used refer basic workplace protection prohibitions employer discrimination basis race color religion sex national origin hiring firing salary structure promotion like see second type conduct employer retaliation account employee opposed complained sought remedies unlawful workplace discrimination see employee alleges discrimination title vii need show causal link injury wrong close injury occurred act causation test suffices instead show motive discriminate one employer motives even employer also lawful motives causative employer decision principle result earlier case price waterhouse hopkins ensuing statutory amendment congress codified part abrogated part holding price waterhouse see question must answer whether lessened causation standard applicable claims unlawful employer retaliation although addressed question causation showing required establish liability title vii retaliation claim addressed issue causation general case involving employer discrimination separate related statute age discrimination employment act adea see gross fbl financial services gross concluded adea requires proof prohibited criterion cause prohibited conduct holding analysis decision instructive petitioner university texas southwestern medical center university academic institution within university texas system university specializes medical education aspiring physicians health professionals scientists years university affiliated number healthcare facilities including relevant case parkland memorial hospital hospital provided affiliation agreement university hospital permits university students gain clinical experience working facilities agreement also requires hospital offer empty staff physician posts university faculty members see app accordingly staff physician positions hospital filled faculty members respondent medical doctor middle eastern descent specializes internal medicine infectious diseases hired work member university faculty staff physician hospital left positions additional medical education returned assistant professor university physician hospital beth levine hired university chief infectious disease medicine position levine became respondent ultimate though direct superior respondent alleged levine biased account religion ethnic heritage bias manifested undeserved scrutiny billing practices productivity well comments easterners lazy different occasions employment respondent met gregory fitz university chair internal medicine levine supervisor complain levine alleged harassment despite obtaining promotion levine assistance respondent continued believe biased tried arrange continue working hospital without also university faculty preliminary negotiations hospital suggested might possible respondent resigned teaching post july sent letter fitz among others stated reason departure harassment levine harassment asserted religious racial cultural bias arabs muslims reading letter fitz expressed consternation respondent accusations saying levine publicly humiliated th letter important publicly exonerated app meanwhile hospital offered respondent job staff physician indicated learning offer fitz protested hospital asserting offer inconsistent affiliation agreement requirement staff physicians also members university faculty hospital withdrew offer exhausting administrative remedies respondent filed title vii suit district northern district texas alleged two discrete violations title vii first discrimination claim respondent alleged levine racially religiously motivated harassment resulted constructive discharge university respondent second claim fitz efforts prevent hospital hiring retaliation complaining levine harassment violation jury found respondent claims awarded backpay million compensatory damages district later reduced compensatory damages award appeal appeals fifth circuit affirmed part vacated part first concluded respondent submitted insufficient evidence support claim vacated portion jury verdict affirmed retaliation finding however theory retaliation claims brought like claims discrimination require showing retaliation motivating factor adverse employment action rather cause see citing smith xerox held evidence supported finding fitz motivated least part retaliate respondent complaints levine appeals remanded redetermination damages light decision vacate verdict four judges dissented decision rehear case en banc arguing circuit application standard retaliation cases erroneous interpretation title vii controlling caselaw overruled en banc smith dissenting denial rehearing en banc certiorari granted ii case requires define proper standard causation title vii retaliation claims causation fact proof defendant conduct fact cause plaintiff injury standard requirement tort claim see restatement torts definition legal cause comment comment intentional infliction physical harm intentional torts negligence includes federal statutory claims workplace discrimination hazen paper biggins cases liability depends whether protected trait actually motivated employer decision determinative influence outcome los angeles dept water power manhart explaining simple test determining discriminatory employment practice whether evidence shows treatment person manner person sex different internal quotation marks omitted usual course standard requires plaintiff show harm occurred absence defendant conduct restatement torts comment negligence comment see comment intentional infliction bodily harm intentional torts restatement third torts liability physical emotional harm comment noting existence exception cases injured party prove existence multiple independently sufficient factual causes observing cases invoking concept rare see also restatement second torts negligence claims comment intentional injury another cf comment legal cause intentional harm thus textbook tort law action regarded cause event particular event occurred without keeton dobbs keeton owen prosser keeton law torts ed background congress legislated enacting title vii default rules presumed incorporated absent indication contrary statute see meyer holley carey piphus since statute passage prohibited employers discriminating employees seven specified criteria five race color religion sex national origin personal characteristics set forth noted outset discrimination based five characteristics called discrimination opinion point great import case two remaining categories wrongful employer conduct employee opposition employment discrimination employee submission support complaint alleges employment discrimination wrongs based personal traits rather types protected employee conduct latter two categories covered separate subsequent section title vii discrimination provision unlawful employment practice employer discriminate individual individual race color religion sex national origin decision price waterhouse sought explain causation standard imposed language addressed particular means action taken individual race religion nationality although opinion case commanded majority six justices agree plaintiff prevail claim discrimination show one prohibited traits motivating substantial factor employer decision plurality opinion white concurring judgment concurring judgment plaintiff made showing burden persuasion shift employer escape liability prove taken employment action absence discriminatory animus plurality opinion opinion white opinion words employer show discriminatory motive cause adverse employment action two years later congress passed civil rights act act stat statute many provisions codified framework price waterhouse part also rejected substantial degree legislation first added new subsection end title vii principal ban discrimination see stat new provision unlawful employment practice established complaining party demonstrates race color religion sex national origin motivating factor employment practice even though factors also motivated practice course lessened causation standard act also abrogated portion price waterhouse framework removing employer ability defeat liability plaintiff proved existence impermissible motivating factor see gross place congress enacted provides claim individual proves violation section title employer demonstrates taken action absence impermissible motivating factor may grant declaratory relief injunctive relief limited attorney fees costs ii shall award damages issue order requiring admission reinstatement hiring promotion payment short act substituted new framework one endorsed price waterhouse new regime plaintiff obtain declaratory relief attorney fees costs forms injunctive relief based solely proof race color religion sex nationality motivating factor employment action employer proof still taken employment action save monetary damages reinstatement order see gross see also price waterhouse act considerable time elapsed returned meaning problem causation time arose context different yet similar statute adea see gross supra much like title vii statute price waterhouse relevant portion adea provided shall unlawful employer fail refuse hire discharge individual otherwise discriminate individual respect compensation terms conditions privileges employment individual age quoting emphasis ellipsis original concentrating first foremost meaning phrase age gross explained ordinary meaning reason account citing webster third new international dictionary oxford english dictionary random house dictionary english language emphasis original thus requirement employer took adverse action age meant age employer decided act words age cause employer adverse decision see also safeco ins america burr noting means based indicates causal relationship holmes securities investor protection corporation equating reason cause course approving construction gross declined adopt interpretation endorsed plurality concurring opinions price waterhouse noting adea must way congress wrote quoting meacham knolls atomic power laboratory concluded textual differences title vii adea prevent ed us applying price waterhouse federal age discrimination claims particular stressed congressional choice add provision like adea despite making numerous changes latter statute act citing eeoc arabian american oil citing penn plaza llc pyett finally gross held proper read price waterhouse announcing rule applied statutes despite similar wording enactment different reading necessary concluded congress amendments title vii including careful tailoring factor claim substitution price waterhouse full affirmative defense indicated standard organic part title vii thus read adea see gross careful restrict analysis statute withhold judgment proper resolution case arose title vii rather adea particular confines gross deprive persuasive force indeed opinion holds two insights present case first textual concerns proper interpretation term relates principles causation underlying second significance congress structural choices title vii law amendments principles decide present case inform analysis issues possess significant parallels iii noted title vii antiretaliation provision set forth appears different section title vii ban discrimination antiretaliation provision relevant part shall unlawful employment practice employer discriminate employees opposed practice made unlawful employment practice subchapter made charge testified assisted participated manner investigation proceeding hearing subchapter enactment like statute issue gross makes unlawful employer take adverse employment action employee certain criteria cf given lack meaningful textual difference text statute one gross proper conclusion gross title vii retaliation claims require proof desire retaliate cause challenged employment action see gross supra principal counterargument offered respondent relies different understanding section face applies status discrimination discrimination basis race color religion sex national origin substance contend retaliation defined statute unlawful employment practice allows unlawful employment practices proved based showing race color religion sex national origin motivating factor necessarily factor challenged employment action matter course held retaliation complaining race discrimination based race brief amicus curiae see brief respondent three main flaws reading first inconsistent provision plain language must acknowledged title vii defines unlawful employment practice include retaliation question presented case different extended coverage unlawful employment practices actually written however text provision begins referring unlawful employment practices proceeds address five seven prohibited discriminatory actions actions based employee status race color religion sex national origin indicates congress intent confine provision coverage types employment practices text says nothing retaliation claims given clear language improper conclude congress omitted statute nevertheless within scope gardner collins pet legislative intention derived words used speculate beyond reasonable import words see sebelius cloer slip second problem reading inconsistency design structure statute whole see gross congress choice words presumed deliberate structural choices see congress wrote provision chose insert subsection within contains title vii ban discrimination says nothing retaliation see act stat directing amended adding end following new subsection title section act created clarifying prohibition impermissible consideration race color religion sex national origin employment practices also indicates congress determined address claims discrimination retaliation see different portion act contains express reference unlawful employment actions thereby reinforcing conclusion congress acted deliberately omitted retaliation claims see arabian american oil congressional amendment adea similar subject coupled congressional failure amend title vii weighs conclusion adea standard applies title vii see also gross supra relevant portion act allowed certain overseas operations employers engage practice prohibited section compliance section cause employer violate law foreign country workplace located stat congress desired make standard applicable title vii claims used language similar invoked see arabian american oil supra inserted provision part section applies claims establishes rules remedies title vii enforcement actions see fda brown williamson tobacco writing congress neither things must give effect congress choice gross supra third problem respondent government reading standard submission decisions interpreting federal antidiscrimination law general matter treated bans discrimination also prohibiting retaliation support proposition respondent rely upon decisions read broadly worded civil rights statute including antiretaliation remedy cbocs west humphries cbocs example held declares persons shall right make enforce contracts enjoyed white citizens prohibits racial discrimination also retaliation oppose potter likewise read bar retaliation broad wording provisions adea personnel actions affecting federal employees least years age shall made free discrimination based age see also jackson birmingham bd title ix sullivan little hunting park decisions controlling true cases state general proposition congress enactment broadly phrased antidiscrimination statute may signal concomitant intent ban retaliation individuals oppose discrimination even statute refer retaliation many words cases support however quite different rule every reference race color creed sex nationality antidiscrimination statute treated synonym retaliation one thing substantive bar discrimination rather rule establishes causation standard proving violation defined elsewhere title vii cases cited respondent government address rules sort precedents limited relevance approach respondent government suggest inappropriate context statute precise complex exhaustive title vii noted laws issue cbocs jackson broad general bars discrimination interpreting concluded using capacious language congress expressed intent bar retaliation addition discrimination see supra words congress treatment subject prohibited discrimination broad brief omission specific discussion retaliation unremarkable title vii likewise phrased broad general terms respondent argument might force title vii written makes incorrect infer congress meant anything text say subject retaliation unlike title ix provisions adea title vii detailed statutory scheme statute enumerates specific unlawful employment practices see discrimination employers employment agencies labor organizations training programs respectively discrimination testing retaliation opposing making supporting complaint unlawful employment actions advertising preference applicants particular race color religion sex national origin defines key terms see exempts certain types employers see creates administrative agency rulemaking enforcement authority see fundamental difference statutory structure renders inapposite decisions treated retaliation implicit corollary discrimination text may divorced context light congress special care drawing precise statutory scheme improper indulge respondent suggestion congress meant incorporate default rules apply congress writes broad undifferentiated statute see supra construing broadly worded provision adea refused draw inferences congress amendments detailed provisions arabian american oil cf jackson supra distinguishing title ix broadly written general prohibition discrimination title vii greater detail respect conduct constitutes discrimination confirmation inapplicability retaliation claims may found congress approach americans disabilities act ada stat ada congress provided general prohibition discrimination individual disability also seven paragraphs detailed description practices constitute prohibited discrimination see codified pertinent present purposes included express antiretaliation provision see stat codified law congress passed year enacting speaks clear direct terms question retaliation rebuts claim congress must intended use phrase race color religion sex national origin textual equivalent retaliation contrary ada shows congress elected address retaliation part detailed statutory scheme clear textual terms confronted similar structural dispute lehman nakshian question whether provisions adea provided right claims federal government nakshian concluding noted portion adea prohibited age discrimination private state local employers expressly provided jury trial whereas provisions said nothing right congress explicit terms altered standard causation one class claims another despite obvious opportunity act proper interpretation implementation causation standard central importance fair responsible allocation resources judicial litigation systems particular significance claims retaliation made frequency number claims filed equal employment opportunity commission eeoc nearly doubled past years eeoc charge statistics fy fy http visited june available clerk case file indeed number retaliation claims filed eeoc outstripped every type discrimination except race see ibid addition lessening causation standard also contribute filing frivolous claims siphon resources efforts employer administrative agencies courts combat workplace harassment consider regard case employee knows fired poor performance given lower pay grade even transferred different assignment location forestall lawful action might tempted make unfounded charge racial sexual religious discrimination unrelated employment action comes employee allege retaliation respondent prevail argument claim established lessened causation standard order prevent undesired change employment circumstances even employer escape judgment trial lessened causation standard make far difficult dismiss dubious claims summary judgment stage cf vance ball state post inconsistent structure operation title vii raise costs financial reputational employer whose actions fact result discriminatory retaliatory intent see brief national school boards association amicus curiae yet significant risk consequence respondent position adopted facts case also demonstrate legal factual distinctions retaliation claims well importance correct standard proof respondent raised claims district alleged wrongdoer differed respondent discrimination claim indirect supervisor levine retaliation claim chair internal medicine fitz proof required claim differed claim respondent required show instances racial slurs disparate treatment indications animus levine respondent retaliation claim contrast relied theory fitz committed exonerating levine wished punish respondent besmirching reputation separately instructed type claim jury returned separate verdict albeit single damages award appeals treated claim separately finding insufficient evidence claim discrimination proper apply standard respondent retaliation claim university might well subject liability account fitz alleged desire exonerate levine even also shown terms affiliation agreement precluded hospital hiring respondent university sought prevent respondent hiring order honor agreement event result inconsistent text purpose title vii sum title vii defines term unlawful employment practice discrimination basis seven prohibited criteria race color religion sex national origin opposition employment discrimination submitting supporting complaint employment discrimination text mentions first five factors ones omits final two deal retaliation added title vii congress inserted within section statute deals five criteria section deals retaliation claims one sections apply claims unlawful employment practices inferred congressional intent prohibit retaliation confronted broadly worded antidiscrimination statutes title vii detailed structure makes inference inappropriate based textual structural indications concludes follows title vii retaliation claims must proved according traditional principles causation lessened causation test stated requires proof unlawful retaliation occurred absence alleged wrongful action actions employer iv respondent government also argue applying provision lessened causation standard retaliation claims consistent longstanding agency views contained guidance manual published eeoc urges views entitled deference decision skidmore swift see national railroad passenger corporation morgan weight deference afforded agency interpretations skidmore depends upon thoroughness evident consideration validity reasoning consistency earlier later pronouncements factors give power persuade see vance post according manual question causation element retaliation claim satisfied credible direct evidence retaliation motive challenged action regardless whether also vidence legitimate motive eeoc compliance manual pp mar noting division authority whether causation apply retaliation claims manual offers two rationales support adopting former standard first ourts long held evidentiary framework proving discrimination also applies claims discrimination based retaliation second manual interpretation permits proven retaliation go unpunished undermines purpose provisions maintaining unfettered access statutory remedial mechanism ibid explanations lack persuasive force necessary precondition deference skidmore see vance post first rationale settled judicial construction particular statute course relevant ascertaining statutory meaning see lorillard pons manual discussion fails address particular interplay among discrimination provision antiretaliation provision provision federal antidiscrimination statutes structure statutory subsections control outcome issue manual failure address specific provisions statutory scheme coupled generic nature discussion causation standards discrimination retaliation claims call manual conclusions serious question see kentucky retirement systems eeoc manual second argument unpersuasive reasoning circular asserts lessened causation standard necessary order prevent proven retaliation go ing unpunished eeoc compliance manual yet assumes answer central question issue causal relationship must shown order prove retaliation respondent final argument joined even control outcome case standard applied price waterhouse control instead assertion incorrect first position foreclosed act amendments title vii noted price waterhouse adopted complex framework congress displaced framework enacting adopts standard discrimination claims replaces employers total defense remedial limitation see gross given careful balance lessened causation reduced remedies congress struck act reason think different balance articulated price waterhouse somehow survived legislation passage second even argument still available inconsistent gross reading plain textual meaning word appears see gross supra reasons rule price waterhouse controlling text structure history title vii demonstrate plaintiff making retaliation claim must establish protected activity cause alleged adverse action employer university claims fair application standard demanding standard adopted appeals entitles judgment matter law asks hold question however better suited resolution courts closer facts case judgment appeals fifth circuit vacated case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered ginsburg dissenting university texas southwestern medical center petitioner naiel nassar writ certiorari appeals fifth circuit june justice ginsburg justice breyer tice sotomayor justice kagan join dissenting title vii civil rights act et makes unlawful employment practice discriminate individual individual race color religion sex national origin emphasis added backing core provision title vii also makes unlawful employment practice discriminate individual individual complained opposed participated proceeding prohibited discrimination emphasis added form discrimination commonly called retaliation although title vii use term recognized effective protection retaliation office essential securing workplace individuals discriminated racial ethnic religious status burlington white burlington northern fear retaliation leading reason people stay silent discrimination encountered observed crawford metropolitan government nashville davidson internal quotation marks brackets omitted similarly worded ban discrimination ban retaliation discrimination complainant traveled together title vii plaintiffs often raise two provisions tandem today decision however drives wedge twin safeguards cases establish discrimination agree complaining party need show race color religion sex national origin motivating factor employer adverse action employer proof factors also motivated action defeat discrimination claim retaliation claim insists must meet stricter standard claim fail unless complainant shows causation employer taken adverse employment action design retaliate reining retaliation claims misapprehends decisions teach retaliation complaining discrimination tightly bonded core prohibition disassociated indeed explained retaliation response complaint proscribed discrimination discrimination basis characteristic congress sought immunize adverse employment action jackson birmingham bd emphasis added internal quotation marks omitted shows little regard trial judges obliged charge discrete causation standards claim discrimination race coupled claim discrimination individual complained race discrimination jurors puzzle rhyme reason dual standards graver concern seized provision adopted congress part endeavor strengthen title vii turned measure reducing force ban retaliation naiel nassar middle eastern descent specialist treatment nassar faculty member university texas southwestern medical center utsw save period left employment continue education utsw affiliated parkland hospital like faculty members university nassar also worked physician hospital beginning nassar served associate medical director hospital amelia clinic phillip keiser medical director clinic nassar principal supervisor year utsw hired beth levine oversee clinic supervise keiser levine commenced employment utsw interviewed potential subordinates meeting clinic doctors minutes levine spent hour half nassar engaging detailed review resume reading list prepared questions record levine came board expressed concern keiser nassar productivity questioned work ethic according keiser levine never seemed satisf ied assurances nassar fact working harder physicians disconcerted levine scrutiny nassar several times complained levine supervisor gregory fitz chair internal medicine app pet cert levine opposed hiring another physician like nassar middle eastern descent keiser presence levine remarked middle easterners lazy physician hired parkland levine said keiser presence hospital hired another one ibid see also record keiser presented levine objective data demonstrating nassar high productivity levine began criticizing nassar billing practices criticism take account nassar salary funded federal grant precluded billing services app pet cert levine hostility nassar sought way continue working clinic without falling supervision end nassar engaged discussions hospital dropping affiliation utsw retaining post parkland although initially told affiliation agreement utsw parkland obliged parkland fill staff physician posts utsw faculty talks hospital continued eventually parkland verbally offered nassar position staff physician see app july nassar resigned position utsw primary reason resignation nassar wrote letter fitz continuing harassment discrimination beth levine app pet cert internal quotation marks omitted according keiser nassar letter shocked fitz told keiser levine publicly humiliated publicly exonerated app fitz opposition parkland hiring nassar prompted hospital withdraw offer engage app pet cert accepting position smaller clinic fresno california nassar filed complaint equal employment opportunity commission eeoc agency found credibl testimonial evidence utsw retaliated nassar allegations discrimination levine brief respondent citing pl trial exh nassar filed suit district alleging utsw discriminated violation title vii basis race religion national origin see constructively discharged app pet cert complaint alleged utsw retaliated complaining levine behavior app pet cert retaliation claim district instructed jury nassar prove retaliation utsw motive prove utsw acted least part retaliate jury found utsw liable constructive discharge retaliation remedial phase judge charged jury award damages actions utsw prove preponderance evidence taken even considered nassar protected activity finding utsw met proof burden jury awarded nassar backpay compensatory damages appeals fifth circuit affirmed responding utsw argument district erred instructing jury theory retaliation fifth circuit held instruction conformed circuit precedent citing smith xerox ii long acknowledged symbiotic relationship proscriptions discrimination proscriptions retaliation antidiscrimination provisions reasoned endeavor create workplace individuals treated differently account race ethnicity religion sex see burlington northern antiretaliation provisions see secure primary objective preventing employer interfering employee efforts secure advance enforcement antidiscrimination guarantees ibid comprehended title vii depends enforcement upon cooperation employees willing file complaints act witnesses ffective enforcement therefore expected employees feel free approach officials grievances ibid quoting mitchell robert demario jewelry see also crawford adverting close connection discrimination retaliation complaining discrimination held line decisions unbroken today ban discrimination encompasses retaliation sullivan little hunting park determined provides citizens shall right enjoyed white citizens inherit purchase lease sell hold convey real personal property protected white man suffered retaliation complaining discrimination black tenant jackson birmingham board education elaborated holding context sex discrimination retaliation person complained sex discrimination found inescapably evident another form intentional sex discrimination explained retaliation definition intentional act form complainant subject differential treatment moreover retaliation discrimination basis sex intentional response nature complaint allegation sex discrimination citations omitted jackson interpreted title ix educational amendments noting legislation followed three years sullivan found appropriate also realistic presume congress thoroughly familiar sullivan expected enactment title ix interpreted conformity internal quotation marks alterations omitted potter similarly reasoned held provision age discrimination employment act adea barring discrimination based age also proscribes retaliation jackson said relationship sullivan enactment title ix observed said well relationship sullivan enactment adea provision see also cbocs west humphries retaliation race discrimination constitutes discrimination based race sound reason case stray decisions sullivan jackson cbocs west iii title vii provision key unlawful employment practice established complaining party demonstrates race color religion sex national origin motivating factor employment practice even though factors also motivated practice section enacted part civil rights act amended title vii along federal antidiscrimination statutes see stat amendments intended provide additional protections unlawful discrimination employment respon number decisions sharply cut back scope effectiveness antidiscrimination laws pt ii pp hereinafter house report part ii citing inter alia patterson mclean credit union martin wilks lorance technologies among decisions found inadequately protective price waterhouse hopkins plurality case held words encompass claims challenging employment decision attributable mixed motives one motivated legitimate illegitimate factors see title vii plaintiff plurality concluded need show prohibited factor contributed employment decision sole cause see kennedy dissenting employer liable however show preponderance evidence taken action absent illegitimate motive congress endorsed plurality conclusion actionable title vii discrimination must motivating factor need cause adverse employment action see house report part ii congress disagreed however insofar price waterhouse decision allowed employer escape liability showing action taken regardless improper motive house report part ii see also pt pp hereinafter house report part title vii ban discrimination employment meaningful house report explained victims intentional discrimination must able obtain relief perpetrators discrimination must held liable actions house report part ii superseding price waterhouse part congress sought restore rule decision followed several circuits discrimination actually shown play role contested employment decision may subject liability house report part ii see also house report part end congress enacted latter provides employer proof adverse employment action taken event shield employer liability proof however limits plaintiff remedies declaratory injunctive relief attorney fees costs critically rule congress intended restore limited substantive discrimination house report explained committee endors ed decisional law bibbs block en banc held violation title vii established trier fact determines unlawful motive played part employment decision decisional process see house report part prior civil rights act bibbs applied retaliation claims see johnson legal servs arkansas find retaliation played invidious part plaintiff termination violation title vii established see also eeoc general lines scant reason think despite congress aim restore strengthen laws ban discrimination employment house report part ii congress meant exclude retaliation claims newly enacted motivating factor provision section provides unlawful employment practice established plaintiff shows protected characteristic factor driving employment practice title vii explicitly denominates retaliation like discrimination unlawful employment practice employment practice necessarily encompasses practices prohibited plain terms covers retaliation notably enacted congress tie new provision specifically proscribe discrimination race color religion gender national origin rather congress added entirely new provision codify causation standard one encompassing employment practice also telling limited situations complainant race color religion sex national origin motivates employer action contrast title vii substantive antidiscrimination provisions refer protected characteristics complaining party see referring individual protected characteristics race color religion sex national origin congress thus knew limit title vii coverage victims discrimination minded chose instead bring within employment practice cut retaliation scope one must blind choice cf jackson omission reference complaining party sex title ix supports conclusion statute protects male plaintiff retaliation response complaints sex discrimination women inception agency entrusted interpretation title vii superintendence act administration eeoc see understood provision cover retaliation claims shortly congress amended title vii include provision eeoc issued guidance advising lthough specify retaliation basis finding liability whenever motivating factor action neither suggest basis deviating commission rule find liability whenever retaliation plays role employment decision eeoc revised enforcement guidance recent developments disparate treatment theory july hereinafter eeoc guidance available http visited june clerk case file eeoc initial guidance explained retaliation go unremedied chilling effect upon willingness individuals speak employment discrimination ibid compliance manual eeoc elaborated conclusion applies retaliation eeoc compliance manual may hereinafter eeoc compliance manual reading agency observed tracked view widely held courts evidentiary framework proving employment discrimination based race sex protected class status also applies claims discrimination based retaliation ibid interpretation permit ted proven retaliation go unpunished eeoc noted undermin purpose provisions maintaining unfettered access statutory remedial mechanism ibid position set eeoc guidance compliance manual merits respect see skidmore swift federal express holowecki eeoc policy statements embodied compliance manual internal directives reflect body experience informed judgment entitled measure respect less deferential skidmore standard internal quotation marks omitted breadth deemed ambiguous although believe meaning plain provision construed accord eeoc longstanding guidance iv draws opposite conclusion ruling retaliation falls outside scope holding ascribes congress unlikely purpose separating retaliation claims discrimination claims thereby undermining legislature effort fortify protections title vii none reasons offers support restrictive interpretation survives inspection first asserts reading encompass claims retaliation inconsistent provision plain language ante acknowledges however text provision begins referring unlawful employment practices term undeniably includes retaliation ibid internal quotation marks omitted nevermind continues goes reference motivating factor race color religion sex national origin thus sees retaliation protected activity entirely discrete discrimination ibid vision retaliation separate concept runs precedent see supra today clear eyed retaliation manifestation discrimination jackson explained context sex discrimination retaliation discrimination basis sex intentional response nature complaint allegation sex discrimination take issue jackson insight instead distinguishes jackson like cases ground concerned laws congress treatment subject prohibited discrimination broad brief ante title vii contrast detailed statutory scheme enumerates specific unlawful employment practices defines key terms exempts certain types employers ante accordingly says improper indulge suggestion congress meant incorporate title vii default rules apply congress writes broad undifferentiated statute ibid strange logic indeed conclude congress homed retaliation codified proscription title vii congress meant protection unlawful employment practice less force protection available statute mention retaliation hardly surprising jurisprudence support conclusion construed provision adea proscribes discrimination based age bar retaliation mindful another part act provision applicable employees explicitly proscribes retaliation moreover set specific list forbidden employer practices citing suggests la issue broad general ba discrimination ante opinion case observes adea provisions brief broad general others extensive specific detailed title vii see ibid adea provision patterned directly title vii discrimination ban contains broad prohibition rather list specific prohibited practices internal quotation marks omitted makes little sense apply different mode analysis title vii adea brief statements discrimination context larger statutory reliance civil rights act stat americans disabilities act ada stat similarly unavailing according congress explicit reference reinforc es conclusion congress acted deliberately omitted retaliation claims ante true ada says congress provided general prohibition discrimination individual disability also seven paragraphs detailed description practices constitute prohibited discrimination nd express antiretaliation provision ante argument underwhelming yes congress sometimes addressed retaliation explicitly antidiscrimination statutes occasion interpretation congress simply targets discrimination protected characteristics refers employment practices motivated race color religion sex national origin courts comprehend phrases read informed consistent holdings phrases draw retaliation truth retaliation form intentional discrimination see jackson described supra point prior instance antidiscrimination law found cover retaliation particularly imprudent context provision added part congress effort toughen protections workplace discrimination also disassociates retaliation discrimination stressing bar latter appears proscription retaliation appears separate provision section asserts contains title vii ban discrimination says nothing retaliation ante retaliation therefore concludes read ante reasoning rests false premise section deal exclusively discrimination based protected characteristics provisions stated deal variety matters unquestionably covering retaliation example enacted tandem located immediately limits opportunities collaterally attack employment practices installed implement consent judgment section applies beyond substantive antidiscrimination provisions indeed applies beyond title vii encompass claims constitution federal civil rights laws thus employee sues retaliatory discharge violation consent judgment orders reinstatement person adversely affected judgment employee loses seniority result generally barred attacking judgment given actual notice proposed order reasonable opportunity present objections congress placed provision moment text provision plainly conveys reach consent judgments settling complaints retaliation cover consent judgments settling complaints discrimination section similarly illustrative provision shall unlawful employment practice employer discharge individual fails fulfill requirement imposed interest national security renders retaliation unlawful employment practice exemption doubt apply title vii retaliatory discharge claim given provisions congress placement provision within bear weight places gives deference eeoc longstanding position applies retaliation charges agency address particular interplay among antidiscrimination provision antiretaliation provision provision ante compliance manual eeoc noted courts concluded cover retaliation citing example woodson scott paper decision third circuit acknowledged given pause fact courts generally borrowed discrimination law determining burdens order proof retaliation cases one therefore say third circuit continued congress knew practice borrowing retaliation cases presumed courts continue practice act ibid woodson rejected argument eeoc found sound see eeoc compliance manual courts long held evidentiary framework proving employment discrimination based race sex protected class status also applies claims discrimination based see also eeoc guidance explicitly refer retaliation nothing provision calls deviation longstanding practice finding liability plaintiff demonstrates retaliatory intent motivated adverse employment decision adverting woodson eeoc made clear considered argument relies today putting agency appraisal generic ante thus conspicuously unfair comment second reason refusing accord deference eeoc fares better eeoc conclusion lessened causation standard necessary order prevent retaliation ing unpunished reasons circular assumes answer central question issue causal relationship must shown order prove retaliation ibid reasoning wash test set plaintiff prevails shows proscribed conduct motivating factor adverse employment action encountered even though factors also motivated action succeed although relief entitled may restricted see supra view proof retaliation factor motivating adverse employment action insufficient establish liability causation standard mean plaintiff failed prove subjected unlawful retaliation mean however proof retaliatory motive alone yields victory plaintiff put otherwise view permits proven retaliation go unpunished eeoc recognized see eeoc compliance manual narrowed exclude retaliation claims turns gross fbl financial services answer question presented whether plaintiff must demonstrate causation establish liability held gross contrast title vii adea authorize age discrimination claim asserting mixed motives explaining uniform interpretation two statutes sometimes unwarranted noted gross phrase age read bar discrimination people ages even though previously interpreted race sex title vii bar discrimination people races sexes yet gross took pains distinguish adea claims title vii claims invoked today pathmarking see ante holding analysis gross instructive word title vii retaliation provision tells us interpreted accord interpretation word companion discrimination provision title vii instead statutory lines crossed meaning title vii retaliation provision read mean held means purposes see gross conducting statutory interpretation careful apply rules applicable one statute different statute without careful critical examination quoting holowecki words employer prevailed gross according adea antidiscrimination prescription like title vii employer prevails nassar case meaningful textual difference ante adea use use word title vii retaliation provision sense one make heads employer wins tails employee loses standard principle statutory interpretation identical phrases appearing statute title vii ordinarily bear consistent meaning see powerex reliant energy services following principle title vii retaliation provision like discrimination provision permit claims causation standard apply provisions decision construe require causation line gross even confounding light price waterhouse recall price waterhouse interpreted permit claims see supra today rejects proposition cover retaliation claims governed price house framework plaintiff shows discrimination motivating factor adverse employment action defendant may escape liability showing taken action illegitimate motive wrong revert price waterhouse says civil rights act amendments title vii abrogated decision conclusion defies logic amendments several courts applied price waterhouse framework retaliation view congress designed standard exclude retaliation claims also override sub silentio circuit precedent applying price waterhouse framework claims congress replace price waterhouse framework causation requirement gross applied adea years amendments title vii shut sight legislative record replete statements evincing congress intent strengthen antidiscrimination laws thereby hold employers accountable prohibited discrimination see civil rights act stat house report part ii odd mode statutory interpretation divines congress aim looking decision gross made different statute ignoring overarching purpose congress enacted civil rights act see supra shows little regard trial judges must instruct juries title vii cases plaintiffs allege discrimination retaliation concerned capacity jurors follow instructions conforming today decision causation complicated concept convey juries best circumstances asking jurors determine liability based different standards single case virtually certain sow confusion tolerable governing statute required double standards reasons already stated vi assertion cause requirement adopts necessarily follows use word fails convince contrary suggestion see ante word inevitably demand causation exclusion causation formulations one factor contributes plaintiff injury causation problematic see restatement third torts comment noting near universal agreement standard inappropriate multiple sufficient causes exist hereinafter restatement third restatement torts comment legal cause cause substantial factor bringing harm event overdetermined two forces create injury alone sufficient cause modern tort law permits plaintiff prevail upon showing either sufficient condition created harm restatement third contrast approach erroneously calls textbook tort law ante title vii plaintiff alleging retaliation establish liability firing prompted legitimate illegitimate factors ante today opinion rehashes arguments rightly rejected price waterhouse concurring judgment case justice recognized disconnect standard dissent advocated imposed plaintiff burden showing causation see kennedy dissenting doctrines dissent relied justice explained area tort liability whence dissent standard causation derived law long recognized certain cases leaving burden persuasion plaintiff prove causation unfair destructive deterrent purposes embodied concept duty care thus multiple causation cases breach duty established common law torts long shifted burden proof defendants prove negligent actions cause plaintiff injury concurring judgment citing summers tice cal justice brennan plurality opinion even less solicitous dissent approach noting standard embraced dissent price waterhouse neither two sufficient forces constitute cause even either one alone led injury plurality remarked need leave common sense doorstep interpret statute plurality concurring opinions price waterhouse indicate strict test particularly ill suited employment discrimination cases even test appropriate tort contexts entirely different matter determine relation consider ing physical forces characteristics constitute motive gross breyer dissenting assessing employer multiple motives apply causation engage hypothetical inquiry happened employer thoughts circumstances different see also price waterhouse opinion times test demands impossible challenges imagination trier probe purely fanciful unknowable state affairs quoting malone ruminations stan rev point lost lost congress title vii enacted congress considered rejected amendment placed word solely complainant race color religion sex national origin see cong rec senator case prime sponsor title vii commented sole cause standard render act totally nugatory life shape way senator suggested commenting anyone ever action motivated single cause different kind animal know ibid holds odds solid line decisions recognizing retaliation inextricably bound discrimination excludes retaliation claims reaches outside title vii arrive interpretation lacks sensitivity realities life work endeavor guided neither precedent aims legislators formulated amended title vii indeed appears driven zeal reduce number retaliation claims filed employers see ante congress goal mind added title vii see house report part ii today misguided judgment along judgment vance ball state post prompt yet another civil rights restoration act reasons stated affirm judgment fifth circuit footnotes district reduced compensatory damages statutory cap title vii see appeals found evidence insufficient support claim constructive discharge reversed district judgment extent see app pet cert ruling contested fifth circuit since reversed course unpublished opinion concluding prescription apply retaliation claims see carter luminant power servs wl apr justices white separately concurred required title vii plaintiff show protected characteristics constituted substantial motivating factor adverse employment decision see price waterhouse hopkins white concurring judgment concurring judgment obscures inconsistency today opinion comparing title vii see ante unlike title ix provisions adea title vii detailed statutory comparison inapt like title vii adea detailed statutory scheme ibid compare ibid citing title vii provisions proscribe discrimination employers employment agencies labor organizations training programs bar retaliation prohibit advertising preference certain protected characteristics define terms exempt certain employers create agency rulemaking enforcement authority proscribing age discrimination employers employment agencies labor unions barring retaliation prohibiting advertising preference employees particular age granting rulemaking authority eeoc defining terms thus like relevant respect single provisions comprised within detailed scheme codified provides shall unlawful employer take action otherwise prohibited section respect employee workplace foreign country compliance section cause employer violate law foreign country workplace located provision framed accord decision eeoc arabian american oil assertion confronted similar structural dispute lehman nakshian ante assumes conclusion explains nakshian plaintiff argued adea afforded right trial jury amendment provision codified granted right plaintiffs suing private employers well state local governmental entities one argued nakshian amendment applied provision hence nakshian holding adea permit plaintiff try case jury relevant correct cover retaliation claims see vislisel turnage carter south central bell williams mallinckrodt table