Disparate impact

{
  "id": "MLC-T-LAW-001661",
  "term": "Disparate impact",
  "field": "Law",
  "definition": "A legal theory in anti-discrimination law under which a facially neutral policy or practice is unlawful when it disproportionately harms a protected group and cannot be justified, even without discriminatory intent. The plaintiff first shows a specific practice causing a statistical disparity, and the employer must then show the practice is job-related and consistent with business necessity. The Supreme Court recognized the theory in its 1971 Griggs decision, and Congress codified it for Title VII in 1991.",
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/law/disparate-impact/"
}