The Supreme Court’s landmark decision to eliminate affirmative action in the college admissions process makes it unlawful for colleges to consider race as a specific factor for admission.

Some question if the ruling will spill over into the corporate world.

“It’s been a long time since I looked for a job. I’m not sure, I just want to see what’s out there," said 68-year-old Willie Patmon. The Kodak retiree was filling out a job application at RochesterWorks, an employment and workforce development organization.

“I just do little part-time jobs sometimes to, of course, make ends meet and to get out of the house," said Patmon.

He has seen a lot of change over the years and pays close attention to the news – including the happenings at the Supreme Court.

Patmon says he's concerned about the ruling that eliminates affirmative action for college admissions and he questions if it will stop at the campus level.

“It’s making it harder for them to even get into college and this makes it tougher,” he said. “And it’s probably going to spill all the way down into the job force eventually.”

RochesterWorks works with hundreds of companies. Its executive director, David Seeley, commented on the potential of future lawsuits in the workplace related to the high court’s ruling.

"I think most people acknowledge that it’s probably more likely it’s going to be a legal challenge to that regard,” he said. “I think people saw the decision and even though it didn’t impact the employment setting directly, at the very least you can assume it’s going to lead to more legal challenges that try to incorporate the legal reasoning behind that.”

However, Seeley says companies have successfully implemented Diversity, Equity & Inclusion programs and he does not expect businesses to change course on their efforts to hire and retain a diverse workforce.

“This doesn’t prohibit a company from aspiring to make their workplace more diverse and embracing diversity,” he said. “And I think most companies recognize that, that you can embrace diversity and have a diverse workforce through certain practices, through how you market positions and through company policies that make you more inclusive. I think companies will still be able to embrace that.”

Patmon is wary, though, of the Supreme Court and the impact of its rulings.

“I see how they go on with things. It just looks like it’s spilling over and spilling over,” he said. “Every time the Supreme Court comes up with something, there’s something else behind it. And it seems this is following that same course.”

Seeley recommends company leaders who may be concerned check with their attorneys.