Blog Post: Believe it or Not... Nightmare Stories from the EEOC! Part II

Just to recap...

Two Employers in one week sued by EEOC for pregnancy discrimination.  One employer said that the pregnant employee would not receive the promotion due to the employer's perceived uncertainty of the candidate's return from pregnancy leave.  The other employer actually called and rescinded a job offer due to the applicant’s pregnancy status. The best part... they left all the EEOC needed for evidence on the applicant's answering machine!

I continue to be astounded daily by the "Nightmare Stories" documented by the EEOC.

In a press release by the EEOC on 9/29...  Sunny Farms Landfill Sued by EEOC for Racial Harassment and Retaliation Against Black Workers. 

In this case the EEOC charges that Sunny Farms Landfill subjected their African American Employees to unlawful racial harassment and retaliation.  While the employer was "aware of the racially hostile work environment, it failed to take steps to rectify the situation," the EEOC said.   In addition, the employees who complained were given "harsher and more difficult work assignments and conditions, including longer work hours."

Nedra Campbell, of the EEOC said, “These employees, the only two African Americans at the landfill, were subjected to a racially hostile work environment perpetuated by their supervisors. Egre­gious conduct in the form of racial slurs, especially when uttered by supervisors, plainly cannot be tolerated."

I know what you are thinking... awful, terrible & despicable.  How can these employers tolerate this behavior from their employees... worse, from their supervisors?  But, you are probably NOT thinking "I don't believe it."  As terrible as it is... it is not a surprise that this happened, even in 2009! Right?

I did leave out one detail from the story that I believe makes this a true Believe it or Not... Nightmare Story...

The EEOC charges against the employer include the employer's alleged "condoning (of) the repeated use of racial slurs by its supervisors and the permanent display of the Confederate flag on its property."  Yep, read it again... the Confederate Flag displayed on its property.  These employers actually allowed the Confederate Flag to be a permanent fixture at their workplace. 

I cannot believe that with that type of environment they actually hired African American individuals to begin with.  Are they truly not aware of the negative symbolic meaning of that flag to most? In my opinion, they were asking to be sued.  They must have had a stellar year with thousands (or more) to blow!   

The Lesson?  Employees need to be treated equally and with respect.  They need to come to work and be in an environment that is free from harassment including racial slurs.  And, when they complain, the employers (like it or not) HAVE to take action and address the problem (with the people causing the problems... not the victims.) 

And, finally... it's obvious that some need this spelled out for them: Despite your personal feelings of the true symbolism of the Confederate Flag, due to its controversial nature, it is NEVER APPROPRIATE IN THE WORKPLACE! 

Stay tuned for more Nightmare Stories from the EEOC!