CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) — A North Carolina Golden Corral franchisee has reached a settlement with the federal government to resolve allegations that it subjected an employee with autism to a hostile workplace.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has settled with Jax LLC., which operates a Matthews, North Carolina, Golden Corral franchise, for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
A male employee with high functioning autism was subjected to being called a "retard" and other profanity while being threatened with sexual assault by a male assistant manager, according to the EEOC. After complaining about the hostile work environment to general and district managers, the company did not take action and the employee was forced to resign out of fear.
"Employers must take appropriate action to stop employees from harassing other employees," Kara Haden, EEOC Charlotte District acting regional attorney, said in a statement. "It is particularly problematic when the harassment is perpetrated by a supervisor."
Jax will pay the former employee monetary relief, establish an anti-discrimination policy, and provide annual training to the franchise's employees and managers, according to the two-year consent decree.