This is the second of two columns discussing U.S. Supreme Court decisions from the 2014-15 term in the area of labor and employment law. This month we review rulings pertaining to recognition of same-sex marriage, the validity of health-care subsidies issued by federal marketplaces under the Affordable Care Act, the tests for proving religious discrimination and pregnancy discrimination, and the standards governing claims for retiree benefits arising from collective-bargaining agreements.
Same-Sex Marriage
In the historic decision of Obergefell v. Hodges, 135 SCt 2584 (2015), the Supreme Court held on June 26, 2015, that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry in all states and all states must recognize same-sex marriages lawfully performed in other states. The ruling has significant implications for employers, as same-sex spouses are now entitled to the rights extended to opposite-sex spouses under both federal and state law.
