A recent decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit offers a powerful reminder that workplace rumors—especially those rooted in gender stereotypes—can rise to the level of unlawful harassment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The case underscores the potential impact of gossip and innuendo, particularly when such rumors are humiliating, pervasive, and tied to protected characteristics like sex.
In Cuff v. Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, a former correctional officer alleged that, during her eight-month tenure, she was subjected to persistent rumors that she was trading sexual favors for preferential treatment. These rumors, which began during her first week, were not isolated to idle chatter among coworkers. Instead, they were perpetuated and amplified by supervisors and colleagues alike, reaching...
“Debunking” efforts involving police forces, community leaders and local councillors should be deployed to counter misinformation in the wake of serious incidents such as the Southport murders, ac...