Johnson Controls adopted a "fetal protection policy" that women of childbearing age could not work in the battery-making division of the company. Exposure to lead in the battery operation could cause harm to unborn babies.
The company was concerned about possible legal liability for injury suffered by babies of mothers who had worked in the battery division.
The Supreme Court held that the company policy was illegal. It was an "excuse for denying women equal employment opportunities." Is the Court forcing the company to be unethical by allowing pregnant women who ignore the warnings to expose their babies to the lead? [United Auto Workers v. Johnson Controls, 499 U. S. 187 (1991)]