Worker who cooperates with internal investigation can sue over retaliation
The U.S. Supreme Court recently over-turned the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, holding that a school system employee could pursue her claim alleging a retaliatory firing. The lower court had held that since she hadn't "blown the whistle" herself, Vicky Crawford could not avail herself of anti-retaliation provisions of Title VII. She had cooperated with an internal investigation into improper behavior by the school district's employee relations director, only to find herself fired several months later. Even the conservative Supreme Court found this holding unduly restrictive and contrary to the public policy intended by Congress, voting 9-0 to overturn the Sixth Circuit.