LAS VEGAS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced July 6 that Nevada Health Centers will pay $35,000 after allegations of sex discrimination.
"Outdated stereotypes in the health care industry cannot be used to categorically exclude employees from certain jobs based on gender," said Anna Park, regional attorney for the EEOC's Los Angeles District Office, which includes Las Vegas in its jurisdiction.
According to an EEOC lawsuit filed in June 2016, Nevada Health Centers had a service contract with placement agency Ultracare Las Vegas between 2010 and 2013. Ultrasound provided Nevada Health Centers with ultrasound technicians and in November 2012, the company hired David Matlock for a position.
The EEOC said Nevada Health Centers asked Ultrasound to remove Matlock solely due to his gender. Ultracare purportedly complied and terminated Matlock’s contract. Alleged conduct of this nature violates Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
"Employers have an obligation to comply with the prohibition on sex discrimination in federal law and should examine their practices to ensure that gender bias is not impacting employment decisions,” said Christine Park-Gonzalez, acting local director of the EEOC's Las Vegas local office.