RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit against Desco Industries charging the California-based manufacturer with violating federal law by firing an employee for complaining about race discrimination at its Sanford, North Carolina facility.
EEOC states that Daniel Worthy worked for Desco in 2015 through a third-party staffing agency and told a warehouse foreman in February that he was interested in a forklift position. Worthy, who is black, allegedly believed he was next in line for the position based on the discussion, but later saw a non-black employee operating a forklift. When Worthy complained to the staffing agency recruiter about possible race discrimination, the company purportedly fired him. Alleged conduct of this nature violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
"Employees have the right to express their concerns about possible race discrimination, without fear of losing their jobs," Lynette Barnes, regional attorney for the Charlotte District Office, said. "Employers cannot simply fire an employee because he or she has raised such concerns."
EEOC is the agency responsible for enforcing federal laws regarding employment discrimination.