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Friday, March 29, 2024

King's Way Baptist Church pays $25,000 to resolve employee discrimination allegations

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ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced that The King's Way Baptist Church Inc., an independent Baptist church in Douglasville, Georgia that operates the King's Way Christian School, will pay $25,000 after allegations of employment discrimination.

 

According to the EEOC, King’s Way retaliated against Marsha Pearson, who taught kindergarten at the school, when she complained about sexual harassment. Pearson allegedly complained to the school that the pastor, who was also the superintendent, sexually harassed her. The EEOC alleges the school responded by firing her and stating that she allowed the sexual harassment to happen to her.


 

Alleged conduct of this nature violates Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which bans retaliation against employees who file discrimination complaints. In addition to monetary relief for Pearson, King’s Way must update its discrimination policy and provide its employees with annual equal employment opportunity training.

 

"This case is a good reminder to employers that complaints of discrimination must be treated seriously," said Bernice Williams-Kimbrough, district director of EEOC's Atlanta District Office. "Blaming the victim when she reports harassment is never the right response and can create liability for the company."

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