ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Aug. 2 against Eagle Parking LLC, a full-service parking management company, for allegations of gender and age discrimination in employment.
"This suit sends a strong message to employers that applicants must be judged strictly on their ability to perform the job, and not on stereotypes associated with their gender and age," said Bernice Williams-Kimbrough, director of the EEOC's Atlanta District Office.
According to the EEOC, Valencia Hayden, a 60-year-old woman, applied for a valet position with the company Jan. 12, 2016. During her interview, Hayden was allegedly told by a manager that she lacked the “physicality” to do the valet position. The manager told her to come back next week for orientation but for a different position in customer service.
When Hayden called the following week to ask about reporting time, the company told her the position had been filled. Eagle Parking records purportedly indicate the company hired multiple male applicants for the valet position and younger applicants for the customer service position during that week.
"What is most disturbing about this case is that the hiring official automatically assumed that Ms. Hayden was not qualified to work as a valet or customer service parking manager because of her age and the fact that she is a woman. Such managerial behavior is not legal or acceptable in the 21st Century,” said Antonette Sewell, regional attorney for the Atlanta District Office.