Alfreda Spencer v. Ripley Cnty. State Bank Ronald D. Brooks, 123 F.3d 690 (8th Cir. 1997). · Go Syfert
Alfreda Spencer v. Ripley Cnty. State Bank Ronald D. Brooks, 123 F.3d 690 (8th Cir. 1997). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
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cited 2× by 2 distinct cases · 2 courts · …individual employees are not personally liable under title vii at p. 691
75 citation events (61 in the last 25 years) across 11 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Bosse v. HMS Host by Avolta (moed, 2025-09-15)
Treatment trajectory · 1997 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1997 2011 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Bosse v. HMS Host by Avolta
E.D. Mo. · 2025 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997)) (The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has “squarely held that supervisors may not be held individually liable under Title VII.”); see also Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir. 1998).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Reddick v. Maryville University
E.D. Mo. · 2025 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997)); see also Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir. 1998). 3.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Rowe v. Poplar Grove Operations LLC
E.D. Ark. · 2025 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997) (per curiam) (individual employees are not personally liable under Title VII or the ACRA).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Echols v. Sam's Club
E.D. Mo. · 2025 · confidence medium
See Walsh v. Nevada Dept. of Human Resources, 471 F.3d 1033, 1037-38 (9th Cir. 2006) (collecting cases); see also Alsbrook v. City of Maumelle, 184 F.3d 999 , 1005 n. 8 (8th Cir. 1999); Bonomolo-Hagen v. Clay Central-Everly Community School District, 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir. 1997) (citing Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997) (per curiam)); see Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir. 1998).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Cone v. Orrock
D.S.D. · 2025 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691 (8th Cir. 1997) (per curiam); Carson v. Lacy, 856 F. App’x 53 , 54 (8th Cir. 2021) (per curiam).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Redmond v. Hopkins
E.D. Mo. · 2024 · confidence medium
Sate Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Seals v. State of Nebraska-Department of Health and Human Services
D. Neb. · 2024 · confidence medium
As an initial matter, while Title VII reaches state and local employers, Mount Lemmon Fire Dist. v. Guido, 586 U.S. 1, 4 (2018), Title VII does not provide for individual liability against supervisors or other employees, see Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691 (8th Cir. 1997); Lenhardt v. Basic Institute of Technology, 55 F.3d 377 , 381 (8th Cir. 1995).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Cason v. St. Louis Public Schools
E.D. Mo. · 2024 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Schweitzer v. Becerra
D.S.D. · 2024 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691 (8th Cir. 1997)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ernest Swinson v. IUE-CWA Local 86821
8th Cir. · 2024 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691 (8th Cir. 1997) (affirming dismissal of claims against an individual defendant because “individual employees are not personally liable under Title VII”).
cited Cited as authority (rule) DeVriendt v. Costco
D. Minnesota · 2024 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691 (8th Cir. 1997) (noting that “individual employees are not personally liable under Title VII”).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Banks v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
E.D. Mo. · 2024 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997)); see also Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir. 1998) and Alsbrook v. City of Maumelle, 184 F.3d 999 , 1005 n. 8 (8th Cir. 1999).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) McCoo v. BJC Health System
E.D. Mo. · 2024 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997)); see also Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir. 1998).3 As a result, the individual defendants named in the action are subject to dismissal from the complaint under these statutes.4 Furthermore, the Court notes that because plaintiff’s complaint is pro se and typewritten, the complaint is far from clear.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Carpenter v. Westin Hotel
E.D. Mo. · 2024 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997) (per curiam).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Naseer v. Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis Executive Board
E.D. Mo. · 2024 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997)); see also Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir. 1998).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Tatum v. North American Central School Bus LLC
E.D. Mo. · 2023 · confidence medium
Bonomolo-Hagen v. Clay Central- Everly Community School District, 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir. 1997) (citing Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997) (per curiam)); and Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir. 1998).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Tatum v. North American Central School Bus LLC
E.D. Mo. · 2023 · confidence medium
Bonomolo-Hagen v. Clay Central- Everly Community School District, 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir. 1997) (citing Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997) (per curiam)); and Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir. 1998).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Rollins v. Crump
E.D. Mo. · 2023 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997) (per curiam) (affirming district court’s dismissal of an employee because individual employees are not personally liable under Title VII); Smith v. St.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Young v. Gene Slay's Girls & Boys Club of St. Louis
E.D. Mo. · 2023 · confidence medium
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals “has squarely held that supervisors may not be held individually liable under Title VII.” Bonomolo-Hagen v. Clay Central-Everly Community School District, 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir. 1997) (per curiam) (citing Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997) (per curiam)); see also Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir. 1998) (same).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Porter v. Homehelpers
E.D. Mo. · 2023 · confidence medium
Bonomolo-Hagen v. Clay Central-Everly Community School District, 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir. 1997) (per curiam) (citing Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997) (per curiam)); see Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir. 1998).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Drowns v. Village of Oakview Board of Trustees
W.D. Mo. · 2022 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) White v. Ameren
E.D. Mo. · 2022 · confidence medium
Bonomolo-Hagen v. Clay Central-Everly Community School District, 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir. 1997) (per curiam) (citing Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997) (per curiam)); see Bales v. Wal- Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103, 1111 (8th Cir. 1998).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Lancaster v. Ramsey
E.D. Mo. · 2022 · confidence medium
Bonomolo- Hagen v. Clay Central-Everly Community School District, 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir. 1997) (per curiam) (citing Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997) (per curiam)); see Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir. 1998).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Dugger v. Jay's Corner Store
E.D. Mo. · 2022 · confidence medium
Clay Central-Everly Community School District, 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir. 1997) (citing Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997); see Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir. 1998).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jones v. City of St. Louis
E.D. Mo. · 2022 · confidence medium
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has squarely held that “supervisors may not be held individually liable under Title VII.” Bonomolo-Hagen v. Clay Central-Everly Community School District, 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir. 1997) (citing Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997); see Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir. 1998).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Matfield v. McDonald's
W.D. Mo. · 2022 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Arthur Carson v. Roger Lacy
8th Cir. · 2021 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997) (per curiam) (individual employees are not personally liable under Title VII); Calaway v. Practice Mgmt.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Paige v. City of Farmington
E.D. Mo. · 2020 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997)); see also Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir. 1998).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Tatum v. Delaware North Sports Service N.Y.
E.D. Mo. · 2020 · confidence medium
Bonomolo-Hagen v. Clay Central-Everly Community School District, 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir. 1997) (citing Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997) (per curiam)); and Bales v. Wal- Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103, 1111 (8th Cir. 1998). 6 Similarly, there is no individual liability for co-workers or supervisors under the ADA, only employers.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Evans v. Tolliver
E.D. Mo. · 2020 · confidence medium
Dist., 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir. 1997) (citing Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690,691-92 (8th Cir. 1997)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Hoskins v. Millet
E.D. Mo. · 2020 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997)); see also Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir. 1998).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Hickmon v. Packaging Concepts, Inc.
E.D. Mo. · 2020 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997); see also Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir. 1998).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Evans v. Tolliver
E.D. Mo. · 2019 · confidence medium
Discussion Title VII provides a remedy only against an “employer.” The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has squarely held that “supervisors may not be held individually liable under Title VII.” Bonomolo-Hagen v. Clay Central-Everly Community School District, 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir. 1997) (citing Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir. 1997); see Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir. 1998).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Teegarden v. Gold Crown Mgmt. LLC
W.D. Mo. · 2018 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691 (8th Cir. 1997)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Strickland v. Harris
W.D. Mo. · 2018 · confidence medium
State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691 (8th Cir. 1997).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Pawlowski v. Scherbenske
D.S.D. · 2012 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Cf. Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir.1997) (no individual liability under Title VII); Lenhardt v. Basic Institute of Technology, Inc., 55 F.3d 377, 381 (8th Cir.1995) (no individual liability under analogous Missouri discrimination statute). 4 The issue squarely presented by defendants’ motion is how employees are to be counted under the ADA.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Smith v. Bankers Life & Casualty Co.
S.D. Iowa · 2007 · confidence medium
Dist., 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir.1997) (citing Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir.1997) as “estab-lishfing] the law of our circuit.”).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Parada v. Great Plains International of Sioux City, Inc.
N.D. Iowa · 2007 · confidence medium
Dist., 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir.1997); Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir.1997)....
cited Cited as authority (rule) Ferguson v. SMSC Gaming Enterprise
D. Minnesota · 2007 · confidence medium
See Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir.1998); Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir.1997).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Habben v. City of Fort Dodge (2×) also: Cited "see"
N.D. Iowa · 2007 · confidence medium
Dist., 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir.1997); Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir.1997).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ms. K Ex Rel. S.B. v. City of South Portland
D. Me. · 2006 · confidence medium
Co., 115 F.3d 400 , 405 (6th Cir.1997); Silk v. City of Chicago, 194 F.3d 788 , 797 n. 5 (7th Cir.1999); Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 692 (8th Cir.1997); Miller v. Maxwell’s Int’l, Inc., 991 F.2d 583, 587-88 (9th Cir.1993); Butler v. City of Prairie Village, Kan., 172 F.3d 736, 744 (10th Cir.1999); Busby v. City of Orlando, 931 F.2d 764, 772 (11th Cir.1991); Gary v. Long, 59 F.3d 1391, 1399 (D.C.Cir.1995)). 4 .
cited Cited as authority (rule) Bunda v. Potter
N.D. Iowa · 2005 · confidence medium
Dist., 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir.1997); Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir.1997) (per curiam).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Crock v. Sears, Roebuck & Co.
S.D. Iowa · 2003 · confidence medium
Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691 (8th Cir.1997) (establishing that individual employees are not personally liable under Title VII); see also Bonomolo-Hagen v. Clay Cent-Everly Cmty. Sch.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Bankhead v. Arkansas Department of Human Services
E.D. Ark. · 2003 · confidence medium
Id. 37 . 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a). 38 . 42 U.S.C. § 2000e. 39 . 55 F.3d 377 , 380 (8th Cir.1995). 40 . 123 F.3d 690, 691 (8th Cir.1997). 41 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Peda v. American Home Products Corp.
N.D. Iowa · 2002 · confidence medium
Dist., 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir.1997) (citing Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir.1997) (per curiam )); accord Lenhardt v. Basic Inst. of Tech., Inc., 55 F.3d 377 , 381 (8th Cir.1995) (noting that "[e]very circuit that has considered the issue ultimately has concluded that an employee, even one possessing supervisory authority, is not an employer upon whom liability can be imposed under Title VII”); Smith v. St.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Erickson-Puttmann v. Gill
N.D. Iowa · 2002 · confidence medium
Dist., 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir.1997) (“Our Court quite recently has squarely held that supervisors may not be held individually liable under Title VII.” (citing Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir.1997) (per cu-riam))).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Fish v. Ristvedt
D.N.D. · 2002 · confidence medium
First, in Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir.1997), the court held that supervisors may not be individually liable under Title VII.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Gough v. Eastern Maine Development Corp.
D. Me. · 2001 · confidence medium
Co., 115 F.3d 400 , 405 (6th Cir.1997) (Title VII); Silk v. City of Chicago, 194 F.3d 788 , 797 n. 5 (7th Cir.1999) (ADA and Title VII); Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 692 (8th Cir.1997) (Title VII); Miller v. Maxwell’s Int’l, Inc., 991 F.2d 583, 587-88 (9th Cir.1993) (Title VII and ADEA); Butler, 172 F.3d at 744 (ADA); Busby v. City of Orlando, 931 F.2d 764, 772 (11th Cir.1991) (Title VII); Gary v. Long, 59 F.3d 1391, 1399 (D.C.Cir.1995) (Title VII).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Gardner v. 4 U Technology, Inc.
E.D. Mo. · 2000 · confidence medium
Bales v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 143 F.3d 1103 , 1111 (8th Cir.1998) (supervisor); Spencer v. Ripley Co. State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir.1997) (per curiam) (officer).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mercer v. City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
N.D. Iowa · 1999 · confidence medium
Dist., 121 F.3d 446, 447 (8th Cir.1997), and citing Spencer v. Ripley County State Bank, 123 F.3d 690, 691-92 (8th Cir.1997) (per curiam)), he can be held individually liable on her constitutional claim.
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Alfreda SPENCER, Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
RIPLEY COUNTY STATE BANK; Ronald D. Brooks, Defendants-Appellees
96-2951.
Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Aug 20, 1997.
123 F.3d 690
Jeffrey Joseph Lowe, St. Louis, MO, argued, for appellant., Joanna C. Fryer, Cape Girardeau, MO, argued, for appellee.
Loken, Magill, Arnold.
Cited by 68 opinions  |  Published
PER CURIAM.

In July 1992, Alfreda Spencer began working as a teller at the Ripley County State Bank in Doniphan, Missouri. In October 1992, the Bank opened a branch office in Naylor, Missouri. Ronald Brooks, the Bank’s President, asked Spencer to work at the new branch. When Spencer refused, Brooks fired her. Spencer then brought this action against the Bank and Brooks individually under Title VII and the Missouri Human Rights Act, alleging that Brooks’s sexual harassment had subjected her to a hostile work environment.

At her deposition, Spencer testified that shortly after she began work, the Bank’s head teller warned her that Brooks “can’t keep his hands to himself.” Thereafter, Spencer testified, on at least ten occasions over the course of her employment, Brooks came to her teller cage, where “[h]e would put his arm around you and pull you to him and he would pinch you on the back around your bra and he actually even pulled on my bra at times in the back.” Spencer found this conduct “disgusting” and attempted to move away when Brooks touched her, but she did not complain to Brooks or anyone else at the Bank. She refused to transfer to the Naylor branch because it would be easier for Brooks to “hit on me” at that more isolated location.

One month before trial, the Bank moved for summary judgment, submitting affidavits by numerous male and female Bank employees averring that: (i) no other female employee had been harassed by Brooks; (ii) Spencer never complained to anyone about Brooks’s alleged conduct, and no one had seen any such conduct at Spencer’s teller cage; (iii) Spencer did not accuse Brooks of harassment or state her alleged concern about working at the Naylor branch at her termination meeting with Brooks and Brenda Pigg, vice president of operations, or when she complained immediately after the termination to Floyd Lynxwiler, a member of the Bank’s Board of Directors, or when she sought help from Dwayne Hackworth, Chairman of the Board and the Bank’s majority owner; and (iv) the Bank has a written policy against sexual harassment and a well understood procedure by which employee sexual harassment complaints may be reported to the Chairman of the Board.

Spencer did not respond to the Bank’s motion. The district court [1] . granted the motion, explaining that by resting on her pleading Spencer failed to establish a prima facie case of hostile work environment sexual harassment in two respects. First, she presented no evidence that Brooks’s conduct was so offensive or abusive as to affect her well-being or her work performance; second, she presented no evidence that the Bank knew or should have known of the alleged harassment and failed to take appropriate remedial action. See generally Harris v. Forklift Sys., Inc., 510 U.S. 17, 21, 114 S.Ct. 367, 370, 126 L.Ed.2d 295 (1993); Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson, 477 U.S. 57, 72, 106 S.Ct. 2399, 2407, 91 L.Ed.2d 49 (1986); Burns v. McGregor Elec. Indus., Inc., 955 F.2d 559, 564 (8th Cir.1992). The court dismissed Spencer’s claims against Brooks on the ground that individual employees are not personally liable under Title VII. See Lenhardt v. Basic Inst. of Tech., 55 F.3d 377, 381 (8th Cir.1995); Smith v. St. Bernards Regional Med. Ctr., 19 F.3d 1254, 1255 (8th Cir.1994). It dismissed her pendent state law claims without prejudice.

Spencer then moved to alter or amend the court’s judgment, stating that she had delayed responding to the Bank’s motion in order to complete additional depositions. The district court granted her time to complete and submit those depositions and a responsive memorandum. After considering[*692] these additional submissions, the court denied Spencer’s motion to alter or amend because “[n]one of these deponents provide any factual support to plaintiffs contention that she was sexually harassed, that her work environment was hostile, that the defendant Bank was aware of the harassment and failed to take proper measures to end it, or that she was fired because she would not submit to defendant Brooks’s sexual advances.” On appeal, Spencer argues that she presented a triable claim of sexual harassment, that the Bank should be strictly liable for the actions of supervisor Brooks, and that we should afford her a Title VII cause of action against Brooks individually. After carefully considering the sparse record, we affirm for the reasons stated by the district court. See 8th Cir. Rule 47B.

1

. The HONORABLE STEPHEN N. LIMBAUGH, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri.