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Press Release

AELMINGS HUMAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND RELATED COMPANIES SUED BY EEOC FOR RETALIATION

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

PRESS RELEASE
3-26-09

Employee Terminated for Complaining About Sexual Harassment, Federal Agency Charges

RALEIGH, N.C. – Three commonly owned North Carolina placement agencies violated federal law by terminating an employee for opposing sexual harassment, the U.S. Equal Employment Oppor­tunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit filed today.

According to the EEOC's suit, Aelmings Human Resources Corporation, along with two related entities, Judges Security Staffing, LLC and Total Protection Services of the Carolinas, LLC, employed Kieshara Powell as an administrative assistant at their shared offices in Raleigh, N.C. Around Feb.18, 2005, Powell complained to the companies' management that she was being sexually harassed by a co-worker. On Feb. 25, 2005, Powell was discharged in retaliation for complaining about the sexual harassment, according to the EEOC.

Such action violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Western Division (Equal Employ­ment Opportunity Commission v. Aelmings Human Resources Corp., Judges Security Staffing, LLC, and Total Protection Services of the Carolinas, LLC, Civil Action No. 5:09-cv-00122), after first attempting to reach a voluntary settlement.

The lawsuit seeks monetary relief for Powell and an injunction preventing the companies from retaliating against employees who oppose unlawful employment practices.

"Employees must be assured that they can complain about sexual harassment to their management without fear of reprisal," said Lynette A. Barnes, regional attorney of EEOC's Charlotte District Office. "Women like Ms. Powell should not have to choose between enduring harassment and earning a paycheck."

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further informa­tion about the EEOC is available on the agency's web site at www.eeoc.gov.

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