SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced lawsuits against Nabor Industries Ltd. and C&J Energy, two Bermuda-based companies in the oilfield services industry, for allegations of widespread racial harassment directed toward African-American employees.
Allegations also include claims that the defendants punished those who complained about the abuse.
"No one should have to come to work every day feeling anxiety about whether they have to endure crude and cruel racial insults," David Rivela, a trial attorney in EEOC's San Antonio Field Office, said. "And punishing the employee for reporting the abuse only makes a bad situation worse."
The defendants allegedly allowed managers to direct racial epithets toward African-American employees, including the N-word. When an employee complained about this treatment, they were purportedly fired while the offending party was retained.
"There is simply no justification for doling out plum assignments based on race or for subjecting employees to racially offensive language in the workplace,” Eduardo Juarez, supervisory trial attorney for EEOC's San Antonio Field Office, said. “Employers should remember that such unlawful conduct negatively affects their bottom line by causing a loss of productivity, morale, and loyalty among their workforces."
EEOC seeks damages for past and future pecuniary loses, compensatory damage, punitive damage and injunctive relief.