BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit June 29 against Gold Inc., doing business as Sammy’s Gentlemen’s Club in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, for allegations of refusing to hire a male applicant due to his gender and failing to maintain federally required employment records.
"Although sex-based discrimination against women may be more common than against men, employers must realize that no person, male or female, can be denied employment based on sex, except in the rare instances when gender is a bona fide occupational qualification," said EEOC regional attorney Marsha L. Rucker. "When hiring decisions are made based on an applicant's sex, the EEOC will act to enforce the federal laws that were enacted to prohibit such discrimination."
According to the EEOC, James Sharp attempted to apply to be a bartender at the club on Oct. 5, 2015. Sharp was allegedly told by a manager that the club did not hire male bartenders. Alleged conduct of this nature violates Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The EEOC additionally charged the defendants with failing to maintain employment applications and other records required by Title VII.
"Gender discrimination in the workplace continues to be a major problem, even more than 50 years after Congress passed Title VII, which made it illegal nationwide,” said district director Delner Franklin-Thomas. “All job applicants deserve to be considered based on their qualifications and not their gender."
The EEOC seeks monetary damages and injunctive relief.