Civil Court Rules and Jury Charges

Kenneth Vercammen & Associates, P.C.
2053 Woodbridge Avenue - Edison, NJ 08817

Friday, July 13, 2007

2.22 SPECIFIC PRIMA FACIE BURDEN TO BE INCLUDED IN GENERAL CHARGEE

Discriminatory Layoff or Reduction in Force (RIF) (5/91) Plaintiff has contended that the layoff or reduction in force at [employer's name] was conducted in a discriminatory manner. In order to establish an initial case that a layoff was discriminatory, a plaintiff must show that:
1. He/She is a member of a protected class; and
2. He/She was laid off while other not in the protected class were treated favorably.See footnote 1
It is plaintiff's burden to prove both of these elements by a preponderance of the evidence.
Footnote: 1 Massarsky v. General Motors Corp., 706 F.2d 111 (3d Cir.), cert. den., 464 U.S. 937 (1983).
Model Civil Jury Charges