imination, many of which may have been prevented or alleviated by the proper use of job descriptions and employee performance evaluations.
In the case of Hopkins v. Price Waterhouse (1987), a female employeeÆs performance evaluation became the subject of a lawsuit after the employee was denied partnership in the major accounting firm. In the evaluation of HopkinsÆ candidacy for partner, many of the participants in the selection process made sexist comments relating to gender expectations in the business environment. One evaluator suggested that Hopkins needed to attend charm school. Another evaluator, although a supporter of Hopkins' bid for partnership, advised that she should talk and dress more femininely. In deciding in favor of Hopkins, the court recognized that the promotion standards were not evenly applied between men and women at the accounting firm. The company had a clear expectation of different behavior between male and female prospective partners. Although this may have been a realistic expectation under certain circumstances, the evaluators i
...