EEOC Sues Kane’s Furniture for Sex Discrimination

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. – Kanes Furniture, LLC, doing business as Kane’s Furniture, which operates 17 furniture stores throughout Florida, violated federal law when it refused to hire female applicants for delivery driver, delivery assistant, and warehouse associate positions, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced in a lawsuit filed today.

According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, Kane’s chief executive officer instructed other company personnel not to hire women as delivery drivers or warehouse associates. Consistent with this instruction, Kane’s refused to hire any female delivery drivers, delivery assistants, and warehouse associates across its Florida facilities.

Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act which prohibits discrimination against applicants based on sex. The EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division (EEOC v. Kanes Furniture, LLC, d/b/a Kane’s Furniture), Case No. 8:23-cv-02067) after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process. The agency seeks back pay, front pay or instatement, compensatory, and punitive damages for the charging party and a class of applicants subjected to unlawful sex discrimination. The suit also seeks injunctive relief to prevent future sex discrimination.

“Applicants must be judged by their qualifications, not on outdated gender stereotypes,” said Robert Weisberg, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Miami District. “This case highlights the need for the EEOC to continue to break down barriers to employment for women.”

Tampa Field Office Director Tamra S. Schweiberger said, “The EEOC is committed to protecting the rights of job applicants to ensure hiring decisions are based on ability, not sex. This lawsuit should put businesses on notice that the EEOC will vigorously prosecute Title VII violations to protect the rights of female job applicants.”

The EEOC’s Miami District Office is comprised of the Miami, Tampa and San Juan EEOC offices, and has jurisdiction over Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

For more information on sex-based discrimination, please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/sex-based-discrimination.

The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov.  Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.