Newsroom

Orrington Firm Subjected Employees to Sexual Advances and Scientology Indoctrination and Fired Those Who Complained, Federal Agency Charged

CHICAGO – A Chicago dental practice will pay $462,500 to settle a class sexual and religious harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.

In its lawsuit, the EEOC alleged that James L. Orrington, D.M.D., Ltd. discriminated against 18 employees by

Barriers and Misperceptions Persist; Low Participation in Senior Ranks

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today released a comprehensive report prepared by the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Work Group containing findings and a series of practical recommendations for EEOC Chair Naomi C. Earp's consideration.  These recommendations address AAPI issues related to federal sector employment, special emphasis programs and the complaints process. The full report, entitled Report to the

EEOC Settles Suit for Discrimination Based on Religion and National Origin

NEW YORK – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced that Merrill Lynch, the international financial services firm, has agreed to pay $1,550,000 to settle a discrimination lawsuit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act on behalf of an Iranian Muslim former worker who was fired due to his religion and national origin.

The EEOC's lawsuit, in the U.S. District Court

Appellate Court Declines to Review Jury Verdict in EEOC Religious Bias Case On Behalf of Jehovah's Witnesses

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced that a federal appeals court has declined to review a jury verdict in an EEOC religious discrimination case against telecommunications giant AT&T.  The decision by the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals upholds the jury finding that AT&T unlawfully discriminated against

Universal Agreement in Florida Covers 56 'Old Country Store' Locations Statewide

TAMPA – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Cracker Barrel) today announced the signing of a Universal Agreement to Mediate (UAM) to informally resolve workplace disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) prior to an EEOC investigation or potential litigation.  The UAM applies to 56 Cracker Barrel establishments throughout Florida.

EEOC Says Three Women Subjected to Vulgar Sexual Comments, Unwanted Touching, Propositioning

SEATTLE – Fred Meyer Stores, Inc. (Fred Meyer) will  pay $485,000 to three female victims of sexual harassment and retaliation to  settle a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission  (EEOC), the EEOC announced today.

According to the EEOC’s suit (EEOC, et. al. v. Fred Meyer Stores, Inc. No. CV08-0208 HA, United States District Court of Oregon), the company’s

OPM and EEOC Partner to Co-sponsor Session

Washington, D.C.  – The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission  (EEOC)today co-hosted a meeting of the Chief Human Capital  Officers (CHCO) Council  Training Academy  focusing on how agencies can provide assistance to Americans with disabilities  who want to join the Federal Government.  Presentations were made from four agencies, including OPM, EEOC, the  Department of Treasury and the Department of Veterans

Federal Agency Charged Kovacevich 5 Farms Refused to Hire Female Farmworkers

FRESNO, Calif. – Kovacevich 5 Farms, a Tulare County grower of table grapes, has agreed to pay $1,680,000 to settle a federal lawsuit alleging that the company refused to hire women, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced today. 

After investigating charges filed by six female job applicants turned away by the Kovacevich 5 Farms, the EEOC found that the

Company Refused to Hire Men into Weight Loss Counselor and Other Jobs, Agency Alleged

BALTIMORE – The U.S. Equal  Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced today that it has resolved  its pattern or practice sex discrimination lawsuit against LA Weight Loss  Centers, Inc., (renamed Pure Weight Loss, Inc., in early 2007), for $20 million  and other significant relief.

According to the EEOC’s suit (WDQ-02-CV-648), filed in  the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Commission Chair Naomi Earp and Gov. Ruth Ann Minner Sign Universal Mediation Agreement

DOVER, Del. – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the State of Delaware today announced the signing of a Universal Agreement to Mediate (UAM) to informally resolve workplace disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).  The new partnership marks the second time the EEOC has entered into a universal mediation agreement with a state government.

Panelists to Discuss Job Bias Against Individuals with Arrest and Conviction Records

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will hold its next public meeting on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), at agency headquarters, 1801 L Street, N.W.  In accordance with the Sunshine Act, the meeting is open for public observation of the Commission's deliberations.

Following the

Prayer Breaks Sought by Muslim Employees to be Instituted; Total of $365,000 to be Paid in Two Cases

MINNEAPOLIS – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced that a federal district court in St. Paul, Minn., recently approved consent decrees that settle two religious discrimination lawsuits against a leading St. Cloud, Minn.-based chicken processor, Gold'n Plump Poultry, Inc., and an employment agency, The Work Connection, which referred workers to it.

EEOC Settles Suit on Behalf of Class of Enrollment Counselors in Online Division

PHOENIX – The U.S. Equal Employment  Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced that Federal District Court Judge  Mary H. Murguia has entered a consent decree for nearly $2 million and  significant remedial relief to resolve a class religious discrimination lawsuit  against the University  of Phoenix, Inc., and its  parent corporation, Apollo Group, Inc.

Apollo Group and the University  of Phoenix are one

Federal Agency Says Prep School Fired Employee for Protesting Unequal Pay for Women

CLEVELAND – The U.S. Equal  Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced that a jury here has  returned a unanimous verdict against Lake  Ridge Academy  finding that an employee who voiced concern about unequal pay for women was unlawfully  fired in retaliation.

The jury  reached its unanimous verdict in the EEOC lawsuit after hearing testimony which  proved that James Whiteman was fired

Washington Field Office Open to Public at New Location on Nov. 19

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity  Commission (EEOC) Headquarters and Washington Field Office (WFO) are relocating to 131 M Street, NE, beginning Nov. 19. All phone numbers, fax numbers, and  e-mail addresses will remain the same.

The lease for the EEOC Headquarters at 1801 L Street, NW, expired in July  2008. In May 2007, the General Services  Administration announced the signing

Federal Agency Charged Cell Phone Refurbishing Company With Paying Hispanic Workers Less Than Others and Firing Employees Who Complained

NEW YORK – A New York-based  company that refurbishes cell phones at its factory in Long  Island will pay $435,000 to settle a wage discrimination and  retaliation suit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC),  the agency announced today.

The EEOC  had charged that First Wireless Group, Inc. engaged in a pattern or

First Universal Mediation Agreement Between EEOC and State Government Bolsters National Trend

SANTA FE, N.M. – The U.S.  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the State of New Mexico today  announced the signing of a Regional Universal Agreement to Mediate to  informally resolve workplace disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution  (ADR). The new partnership marks the  first time the EEOC has entered into a universal mediation agreement with a  state government.

“We commend  the State

WASHINGTON – Naomi C. Earp, Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), today announced the federal agency will hold a symposium with the National Partnership for Women and Families to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 9 a.m. The event will be held at the headquarters of the National Education Association (NEA) at 1201 16th St., NW.

EEOC Settles Suit for Young Men Who Were Sexually Abused

SEATTLE - Hotel giant WorldMark by Wyndham will pay $370,000 and furnish significant remedial relief to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.  The EEOC had charged that the company failed to stop the manager of its Birch Bay Resort in Blaine, Wash., from sexually harassing young male employees.

According to the

EEOC Says County Attempted to Force Out Senior Marine Bureau Police Officers

NEW YORK - The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced that Nassau County on Long Island will pay $450,000 and agree to significant injunctive relief to settle an age discrimination lawsuit on behalf of several police officers in the Marine Bureau. 

In its lawsuit, the EEOC asserted that Nassau County discriminated against