Supreme Court of the United States

Florida v. Long

June 22, 1988487 U.S. 223

Summary

The Court held that the effective date for Title VII liability in pension‑benefit discrimination cases is the Norris decision (August 1, 1983), not Manhart, and that the district court’s benefit‑adjustment award is retroactive and therefore impermissible, so the Eleventh Circuit’s judgment was reversed. Justice Kennedy wrote for the majority; Justice Stevens dissented and Justice Blackmun concurred in part and dissented in part, each contesting the majority’s retroactivity analysis.

Holding

  • What date triggers Title VII liability for sex‑based discrimination in pension benefit calculations?. Liability begins on the date of the Court’s Norris decision (August 1, 1983), not on Manhart.
  • Whether the district court’s benefit‑adjustment award constitutes retroactive relief that is permissible under Title VII?. The award is retroactive and therefore impermissible; no relief is granted to the class.

Docket 86-1685

Cited authorities

  • Fla. Stat. § 121.061
  • Fla. Stat. § 121.071
  • Fla. Stat. §§ 121.091
  • Fla. Stat. § 121.011
  • Fla. Stat. §§ 121.031
  • 78 Stat. 253
  • Fed. R. Civ. P. 23
  • 32 Drake L. Rev. 913

Cited by

Read full opinionPDF