Statistics and employment discrimination law: An interdisciplinary review

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to explicate the role of statistics as evidence in employment litigation, especially in regard to statistical proof involving claims of employment discrimination. The use of statistics to uncover discrimination and as a means to criticize or justify varied personnel practices is examined, drawing upon legal, scientific, statistical, and psychological literature. Statistical evidence is scrutinized as potentially persuasive indirect evidence of discrimination, with an emphasis on the utilization of statistical methods under the theories of adverse impact and disparate treatment. In order to explore the historical context and contemporary use of specific statistical techniques in employment discrimination litigation, an extensive investigation of statistics presented in cases filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 is conducted. Criticisms and perceived benefits of statistical analyses in litigation are addressed, as are future trends pertaining to advanced statistical methodology and the acceptance of statistics in the legal arena. Implications for human resource management policies and practices are presented.

Citation

Wingate, P.H. and Thornton, G.C. (2000), "Statistics and employment discrimination law: An interdisciplinary review", Research in Personnel and Human Resources Management (Research in Personnel and Human Resources Management, Vol. 19), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 295-337. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0742-7301(00)19008-5