EEOC TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE LAWSUITS AGAINST EMPLOYERS IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO

Commission Vice Chair to Address Concerns about Harassment of Teen Workers

WASHINGTON -- Naomi C. Earp, Vice Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), will host a press conference at the agency's Phoenix District Office on Thursday, February 24, at 12 noon, to announce the filing of two important employment discrimination lawsuits involving teen workers.

The suits involve sexual harassment of male and female teen employees, including same-sex harassment, at two different franchises of a national fast-food chain.  Joining the Vice Chair to announce the filing of the two lawsuits in federal district court in Arizona and New Mexico will be EEOC Phoenix District Director Chester V. Bailey and Regional Attorney Mary Jo O'Neill.  Bailey noted, "These lawsuits are expected to have far reaching effects on the youth-oriented restaurant industry." 

No additional information about the cases will be available until the time of the press conference. Members of the news media unable to travel to Phoenix will have access to the news event via teleconference (call Krista Watson to RSVP and receive further information).  Reporters in New Mexico may also participate at EEOC's Albuquerque Area Office at 505 Marquette N.W., Suite 900.

Vice Chair Earp said, "While the Commission strives to proactively prevent discrimination through education and outreach as a first resort, we will not hesitate to enforce the law through litigation when necessary."

In September 2004, Vice Chair Earp launched EEOC's national Youth@Work Initiative to educate teens about their employment rights and responsibilities and to help employers create positive first work experiences for young adults.  As part of that effort, EEOC recently entered into a partnership with the National Restaurant Association to promote fair and inclusive workplaces for teens in the food services industry.  Further information about the Youth@Work campaign is available on the agency's web site at www.eeoc.gov.  Specific EEOC-related information for teens is available on the new Youth@Work web site at www.youth.eeoc.gov.