An aggrieved employee may, under the act, seek reinstatement, damages and the recovery of his attorney's fees.

The Civil War-era law was strengthened in 1986, turning it into a boon for aggrieved employees and a thorn in the side of some companies.

"Both rights have legally independent origins and are equally available to the aggrieved employee," Justice Powell said.

If that did not resolve the matter, employees could take their complaints to a three-member independent panel whose members could order damages paid to an aggrieved employee.

While it is sometimes available to aggrieved employees, it often is not, particularly in the nuanced and complex situations reflected in many mixed-motive cases.

Some companies really do take the biscuit - in that scenario you could totally understand an aggrieved employee trying to find a way around the system to recoup some of his loss!

The agency says it has won more money for aggrieved employees in recent years from settlements and other agreements with employers.

An appeal was launched by the College and Mr Boden against the tribunal's judgement, resulting in a financial out-of-court settlement with the aggrieved employee.

According to the aggrieved employees, Salomon's brokers pushed them to exercise their options and borrow against the shares by placing the acquired stock in a margin account.

The aggrieved employees included many low-paid workers of longtime service.