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The Supreme Court upheld a ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, in Atlanta, to overturn a jury award to Lilly Ledbetter against Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.

The award overturned was for over $3 million in back pay and compensatory and punitive damages, which the judge had decreased to $360,000.

At stake was the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which limits awards, and was confirmed by the court.

Judge Alito wrote, “Ledbetter should have filed an E.E.O.C. charge within 180 days after each allegedly discriminatory pay decision was made and communicated to her. She did not do so, and the paychecks that were issued to her during the 180 days prior to the filing of her E.E.O.C. charge do not provide a basis for overcoming that prior failure.”

The court rejected the idea that the “paycheck accrual rule” was in effect. What that means is that you can't consider each new pay period as another discriminatory act if you don't file an E.E.O.C. within the required 180 day period; the reason the judge originally limited the award to $360,000.

Alito added that the reason for the short 180 day period is to encourage workers and companies to voluntarily work out the issues.

Voting for the 5-4 ruling were Justices John G. Roberts Jr., Clarence Thomas, Sam Alito, Antonin Scalia and Anthony M. Kennedy.