Blog# 272020EEOC
Today I am reading the EEOC news update dated February 4, 2020 reporting that The General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, Inc., doing business as Global Ministries in Atlanta settled a retaliation discrimination lawsuit filed by the EEOC’s Atlanta District Office.
Employment Discrimination is illegal and so is retaliation for complaining about it. Both violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In this case, an employee was fired for complaining about race discrimination. The company settled the suit filed by the EEOC and agreed to pay $50,000, provide employment discrimination training to its employees and post its anti-retaliation policy as well as an anti-discrimination notice. In addition, the decree subjects Global Ministries to reporting and monitoring requirements.
Details
According to the EEOC’s suit, Ivy Couch, a communications specialist and program area liaison, was hired by Global Ministries to write articles for the organization’s website to bolster engagement and increase awareness about the organization’s ministry efforts. After Couch complained several times to human resources about race discrimination and retaliatory treatment for complaining about it, Global Ministries fired her.
Such conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employers from firing, demoting, harassing or otherwise retaliating against employees because of race or because they complained to their employer about discrimination on the job. The EEOC filed suit (Civil Action No. 1:19-CV-2989-MHC-CMS) in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement via its conciliation process.
Resources
Facts About Race/Color Discrimination
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Heidi Macomber 