Legal Issues
September 2012
Caldwell Freight Lines to pay $120,000 to settle EEOC race discrimination lawsuit
Caldwell Freight Lines, a former North Carolina based trucking company, has settled its racial discrimination lawsuit filed by the EEOC for $120,000. According to the allegations, Caldwell Freight Lines refused to hire several well qualified African-Americans, including Desmond Burch, for a dock worker position. One of Caldwell’s high-level managers also allegedly said that he “didn’t want any blacks on the dock,” and during the time period covered by the lawsuit, there were no African-American dock workers at the facility. The $120,000 settlement will be split amongst several African-American former applicants involved in the suit. Source: Press Release. Caldwell Freight Lines to Pay $120,000 to Settle EEOC Race Discrimination Lawsuit. August 3, 2012. http://eeoc.gov
Source: Press Release. Caldwell Freight Lines to Pay $120,000 to Settle EEOC Race Discrimination Lawsuit. August 3, 2012. http://eeoc.gov
Fremont Toyota pays $400,000 to settle EEOC’s harassment and retaliation lawsuit
In an EEOC lawsuit, a Fremont, California car dealership was charged with harassment and retaliation. The general manager of Fremont Toyota allegedly singled out four Afghan American salesmen during a meeting calling them terrorists and threatening violence. When the men reported the incident, they were subject to higher levels of job scrutiny and continued harassment. The men felt that they had no choice but to leave their jobs. An Afghan-American manager, who worked at the dealership, was fired after speaking up for the four salesmen. The $400,000 settlement will be split among the five former employees.
Source: Press Release. Fremont Toyota Pays $400,000 to Settle EEOC’s Harassment and Retaliation Lawsuit. August 7, 2012. http://eeoc.gov
Magnetics International to pay $30,000 to settle EEOC religious discrimination suit
Magnetics International, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation that supports the steel industry by regenerating hydrochloric acid and generating iron oxide, was involved in a lawsuit with the EEOC over the firing of an employee who refused to work on Sunday for religious reasons.
Daniel Bewley was hired as a laborer at Magnetics’ Burn Harbor, Indiana, facility, and at the time, he was told that he would not be required to work two consecutive Sundays. According to Bewley’s beliefs, he needed to attend church at least every other week. After working Sunday the previous week, he was scheduled to work the upcoming Sunday. When Bewley notified them of the conflict, he was let go from his position. Magnetics International settled the religious discrimination suit for $30,000.
Source: Press Release. Magnetics International to Pay $30,000 To Settle EEOC Religious Discrimination Suit. August 15, 2012. http://eeoc.gov
Wal-Mart settles EEOC lawsuit for $50,000
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores East, L.P. settled with the EEOC for $50,000 in back pay and damages for a disability discrimination suit. Allegedly, a Carlsbad, New Mexico Wal-mart store fired a long-time sales clerk because of her Cerebral Palsy. Marcia Arney was not allowed to return to her job after taking medical leave related to her condition because of temporary medical accommodations required by her doctor that said she must take periodic breaks to be off of her feet. After the store manager was shown a note from Arney’s doctor explaining her restrictions, he refused to allow her to go back to work and told her that she must obtain a medical release with no restrictions.
This conduct violates the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Another stipulation of the settlement says that the Carlsbad Wal-mart must conduct annual live ADA training sessions for the management.
Source: Press Release. Wal-Mart Settles EEOC Lawsuit for $50,000.. August 21, 2012. http://eeoc.gov
