Activity (Process)

Three-Part Test for Sex-Related BFOQs

Courts use a three-part test to evaluate sex-related BFOQ claims. The first part assesses whether all or substantially all members of one gender are incapable of performing the job; for example, a 'must lift 30 pounds' requirement often fails this test, as most women can meet it. The second is the 'essence of the business' test, which asks if hiring another gender would undermine the core business operation. This was used to rule against Pan Am's policy of hiring only female flight attendants, establishing that customer preference is not a valid defense. The third part examines whether the employer could make reasonable alternative accommodations, such as reassigning staff to avoid placing a female employee in a male-only section of a prison.

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Updated 2025-10-06

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