WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced a $100,000 settlement with Asbestos Specialists Inc. (ASI) after allegations the Baltimore-based company committed national origin discrimination.
According to allegations, ASI subjected a class of Hispanic workers to a hostile work environment. This violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Employers are barred from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.
"Workplace harassment remains a persistent problem, and is alleged in more than 30 percent of the charges we receive," said EEOC Chairwoman Jenny Yang. "EEOC's select task force on the study of harassment in the workplace is examining the issue and identifying new and creative strategies to prevent and eliminate harassment at work. EEOC is committed to working with employers to voluntarily resolve charges of discrimination [or harassment] to put practices in place to prevent problems from recurring."
In addition to the monetary fines, ASI must provide EEO training to managers, supervisors and employees.
"ASI should be commended for working with EEOC and OFCCP to settle this matter voluntarily and for making comprehensive policy changes that will protect its employees from unlawful harassment," said EEOC Washington Field Office acting director Mindy Weinstein. "We encourage other employers to follow this example."