Automobile Dealership to Pay $30,000 to Settle EEOC Retaliation Lawsuit

Source: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – An automobile dealership located in Russellville Ark., will pay $30,000 to settle a retaliation lawsuit brought by U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced.

The EEOC’s suit charged the company violated Title VII when it fired a female sales associate after she complained it refused to place her on the used car lot because of her gender. The company fired the sales associate less than a week after receiving her written complaint.

Retaliation for complaining about discrimination violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed suit after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.

“Unfortunately, retaliation charges  and lawsuits have risen significantly over the last couple of years, both in  the Memphis District and across the country,” said Regional Attorney Faye A. Williams of the EEOC’s Memphis District Office, which has jurisdiction over Arkansas, Tennessee and portions of Mississippi. “Employers must learn that employees have a right to complain when they think that the employer may have violated their federally protected rights.”

The company employs about 34 people, including sales associates, and sells Nissan, Hyundai, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram trucks.

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

To learn more about the laws prohibiting employment discrimination, or how to protect your company from potential liability, please contact Berkshire Associates at 800.882.8904 or email bai@berkshireassociates.com.