Kevin Kasten v. Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation

Summary

The Supreme Court held that the Fair Labor Standards Act’s antiretaliation provision protects oral complaints, reversing the Seventh Circuit’s interpretation that limited protection to written complaints. The Court relied on textual context, the Act’s remedial purpose, and agency interpretations to conclude “filed any complaint” encompasses oral filings sufficient to put employers on notice. Justice Scalia dissented, arguing the phrase refers only to formal grievances filed with courts or agencies.