context: In those cases, we require plaintiffs to make a showing in addition to the normal prima facie case because the employer's reason for discharging the plaintiff is not "otherwise unexplained." The reduction-in-force is an objective, legitimate explanation of the employer's action which the plaintiff does not call into question by establishing a prima facie case under the regular standards.
citation_a.signal: see
citation_a.parenthetical: no adverse inference can be drawn in reduction-in-force case if we apply normal prima facie standards because the employer's action is readily explained by employer's economic hardship or downturn in business
citation_a.sentence: See Leichihman v. Pickwick Int’l, 814 F.2d 1263, 1270 (8th Cir.) (no adverse inference can be drawn in reduction-in-force case if we apply normal prima facie standards because the employer’s action is readily explained by employer’s economic hardship or downturn in business), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 855, 108 S.Ct. 161, 98 L.Ed.2d 116 (1987); see also Barnes, 896 F.2d at 1465 (in reduction-in-force ease proving the normal elements of the prima facie case is not enough because no evidence presented under such test that the workforce reductions were not the reason for the adverse employment actions).
citation_b.signal: see also
citation_b.identifier: 896 F.2d 1465, 1465
citation_b.parenthetical: in reduction-in-force ease proving the normal elements of the prima facie case is not enough because no evidence presented under such test that the workforce reductions were not the reason for the adverse employment actions
citation_b.sentence: See Leichihman v. Pickwick Int’l, 814 F.2d 1263, 1270 (8th Cir.) (no adverse inference can be drawn in reduction-in-force case if we apply normal prima facie standards because the employer’s action is readily explained by employer’s economic hardship or downturn in business), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 855, 108 S.Ct. 161, 98 L.Ed.2d 116 (1987); see also Barnes, 896 F.2d at 1465 (in reduction-in-force ease proving the normal elements of the prima facie case is not enough because no evidence presented under such test that the workforce reductions were not the reason for the adverse employment actions).