Eagle Services to Pay $100,000 to Resolve EEOC National Origin and Race Discrimination Charge

CHICAGO – Eagle Services, an industrial and environmental cleaning service with locations in Illinois and Indiana, will pay $100,000 in monetary relief to a class of affected employees to voluntarily resolve an employment discrimination charge filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

The agreement announced today resolves a charge filed with the EEOC alleging that Eagle Services discriminated against employees because of their race and national origin by subjecting them to harassment. Additionally, a supervisor repeatedly called minority laborers and service technicians racist names, made other offensive comments based on race and national origin, and texted a violent racist meme to an employee. Despite complaints to upper-level management, EEOC found the harassment continued over several years.

EEOC found this alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race and national origin.

“This case shows national origin and race-based harassment continue to be a problem, and employers are responsible for immediately stopping and preventing such behavior,” said EEOC Chicago District Director Julianne Bowman. “By resolving this matter through the conciliation process, Eagle Services has avoided protracted litigation. We encourage Eagle Services to continue to make its workplaces more inclusive environments for its employees  of color.”

Aside from the monetary relief, Eagle Services has also agreed to reporting to the EEOC and training for all employees and managers. Eagle Services denies the allegations contained in the EEOC’s determination.

EEOC’s Chicago District Office is responsible for processing charges of discrimination, administrative enforcement and the conduct of agency litigation in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and North and South Dakota, with area offices in Milwaukee and Minneapolis.  

The EEOC is responsible for advancing opportunities in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. More information is available on the agency’s website at www.eeoc.gov.  Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.