EMPLOYMENT LAW NEWS
Woman Fired for Discrimination Complaint
Published May 5, 2015

Woman Fired for Discrimination Complaint
Things blow up after company punished female employee for complaining about unlawful discrimination and hostile work environment.
A male site superintendent at a nuclear power plant in South Carolina harassed a female planner who was hired to address a power outage. She notified company management, and according to her complaint, the site superintendent created a hostile work environment by being “aggressive, intimidating, sarcastic and condescending” with her because she was a woman.
A vice president completed a relatively prompt investigation into the female worker’s complaint. The vice president fired her two days later.
The EEOC announced a settlement with the company on April 27, 2015. The company must pay $65,000 to the victim who was fired in retaliation for filing a complaint of workplace discrimination.
Retaliation against workers who lodge claims of workplace discrimination is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Case Outcomes
Monetary fine: $65,000
Employer must:
- Provide annual training to all supervisors, managers, and employees, to prevent future retaliation
- Provide names of employees who complained about discrimination and who were thereafter subjected to adverse employment actions
- Post a notice regarding workers’ rights protected by the EEOC
Lessons Learned
- When a worker has lodged a discrimination claim, an employer must be cautious about any action that might be perceived as an adverse workplace action (such as termination or demotion) – even after concluding an investigation
- Document, investigate, and resolve every claim of discrimination
- Consider hiring third-party investigators to probe discrimination claims
This Employment Law News blog is intended for market awareness only, it is not to be used for legal advice or counsel.
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