NEWS & ANALYSIS


Tire-Maker Axed Workers Over Prescription Drugs, EEOC Says

By Patrick Hoff

A specialty tire manufacturer violated federal disability law when it terminated employees who lawfully took narcotics, opioids and other prescription medications to manage pain, even after multiple doctors cleared them to work, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleged in Tennessee federal court.

Tire Co., EEOC Resolve Guatemalan Harassment Suit

By Patrick Hoff

A Massachusetts scrap tire facility agreed to pay $250,000 to settle a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit claiming the company's owner used derogatory language toward Guatemalan workers and threatened them with deportation, according to a Thursday filing in federal court.

EEOC Says Car Dealer Denied Vet Service Dog To Aid PTSD

By Grace Elletson

A U.S. Navy veteran was forced to quit his job at a Maryland car dealership because it refused to let him bring a service dog to work to help manage panic attacks induced by service-related PTSD, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said in a new suit.

Marine Co. Strikes Deal To End EEOC Sex Harassment Suit

By Benjamin Morse

A marine electronics supply company will pay nearly $53,000 to end a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit alleging it allowed a supervisor to sexually harass an employee and fired her after she refused his advances, according to a Louisiana federal court filing.

NYC Hotel, EEOC Ink Deal In ADA Suit Over Knee Condition

By Benjamin Morse

A hotel and members club in New York City will pay $100,000 to end a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission suit alleging it refused to provide a reasonable accommodation to a worker with a disability and then fired her, according to a federal court filing.

Rehab Co. Will Pay To End EEOC Bias Probe Over Vaccine

By Patrick Hoff

An Oregon-based rehabilitation and therapy provider will pay damages to a former employee who told the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission she was fired because of her religious opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine, the federal agency announced Tuesday.

Subway Supervisor Sexually Assaulted Worker, EEOC Says

By Grace Elletson

A young employee of a Subway franchise was sexually harassed and eventually assaulted by an older supervisor, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claimed in a new lawsuit filed in Utah federal court, faulting the franchisee for failing to enact proper safeguards to halt abuse.

Culver's Franchise To Pay $261K To Settle EEOC Suits

By Benjamin Morse

A Culver's franchise will pay $261,000 to end a pair of U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuits alleging it ignored sexist, racist and ableist harassment, according to Minnesota federal court papers filed Friday.

UPS Strikes Deal To End EEOC Sex Harassment Probe

By Benjamin Morse

UPS will pay $10,000 to resolve a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigation into allegations that the company failed to deal with sexual harassment and denied a promotion to a worker because of their sex.

Colorado Hog Farm Inks Deal In EEOC Sex Harassment Suit

By Grace Elletson

A Colorado hog farm has agreed to pay $330,000 to close a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission suit claiming it failed to take action when female workers complained that male managers propositioned them for sex and walked in on them changing.

EEOC Says Maui Hotel Owner's Sex Harassment 'Rampant'

By Benjamin Morse

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission slapped a Hawaii hotel with a lawsuit Thursday accusing its owner of widespread, long-running sexual harassment that allegedly included sexual advances, inappropriate touching and demands for massages while he was naked.  

Puerto Rico Insurer Strikes Deal In EEOC Disability Bias Suit

By Grace Elletson

A Puerto Rico insurance company has agreed to pay $100,000 to shutter a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission disability bias suit claiming the company refused to immediately transfer an employee to another role to accommodate her fibromyalgia, the EEOC said Monday.

EEOC Can Seek OK Of Deal That Judge Threatened To Scuttle

By Grace Elletson

A Florida federal judge walked back a threat Friday to toss a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission race harassment suit after taking issue with its bid to approve a $1.4 million settlement in the case, following warnings from the agency that it would be "severely prejudiced" by dismissal.

Landry's To Pay Iranian Server $95K In EEOC Harassment Suit

By Grace Elletson

Seafood restaurant chain Landry's will pay $95,000 to wrap up a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission suit claiming it fired an Iranian server under false allegations that she came to work drunk after she complained about harassment, according to a Colorado federal court filing.

Home Retailer Agrees To End EEOC Disability Bias Probe

By Patrick Hoff

A manufactured homes dealer in Oregon agreed to update its antidiscrimination policies to resolve a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigation into claims that it fired an employee for requesting a schedule change because of her disability.

Mental Health Group Failed To Rein In Harasser, EEOC Says

By Grace Elletson

A mental health organization stood by while a male supervisor harassed female co-workers with unwanted hugs and sexual comments, costing one worker her job after his behavior triggered her mental health disorders, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission told a North Carolina federal court.

Marriott Accused Of Revoking Sabbath Accommodation In Fla.

By David Minsky

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing Marriott for alleged religious discrimination in Florida federal court, alleging an employee was forced to resign after her managers rescinded her Sabbath accommodation and required her to work on Saturdays.

EEOC Turns To 6th Circ. After Staffing Co. Exits Bias Case

By Patrick Hoff

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission told a Tennessee federal court Friday it wants to get the Sixth Circuit's take on an order dismissing a staffing agency from a lawsuit claiming the company worked in tandem with a client to restrict the hiring of Black workers.

EEOC Blasts 'Intentional' Med Record Mishandling In ADA Suit

By Patrick Hoff

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Thursday urged a Colorado federal court to sanction an appliance retailer that filed a former employee's unredacted medical records in a disability bias lawsuit, saying the employer meant to "harass and embarrass" the worker.

Texas Bar Settles EEOC Suit Over Pregnant Bartender's Firing

By Grace Elletson

An Austin, Texas, bar has agreed to pay a former bartender $42,000 to resolve a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission suit alleging she was fired after she became pregnant because her condition was "too much of a liability."