LAS VEGAS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced it has charged Nevada Health Centers Inc. and Ultracare Las Vegas with violations of federal law after allegedly discharging a qualified male ultrasound technician because of his gender.
The EEOC alleges Ultracare Las Vegas hired David Matlock to work as an ultrasound technician and assigned him to Nevada Health Centers. The two companies had an agreement wherein Ultracare Las Vegas supplied ultrasound technicians to Nevada Health Centers facilities. Matlock had many duties at his job, but one was performing transvaginal ultrasounds – a role he allegedly engaged in without complaint. Nevada Health Centers eventually requested Matlock be replaced by a female ultrasound technician, according to EEOC. Ultracare Las Vegas purportedly agreed to the request, discharged Matlock and provided a female replacement.
"Sex discrimination is simply unlawful for good reasons -- it creates roadblocks to equal employment opportunities," said Anna Park, regional attorney for EEOC's Los Angeles District, which includes Nevada in its jurisdiction. "Employers need to ensure that such gender preferences do not result in sex discrimination, which inhibits a person's ability to be employed."