EEOC SETTLES SEX BIAS SUIT AGAINST AUTO DEALER JEFF WYLER EASTGATE, INC. FOR $2.3 MILLION

Class of 39 Qualified Women Rejected for Sales Jobs will Share Monetary Relief

CINCINNATI – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced today that it has resolved its lawsuit charging that Jeff Wyler Eastgate, Inc. and 10 additional Jeff Wyler-owned dealerships, acting as an integrated enterprise, discriminated against a class of qualified women on the basis of sex by refusing to hire them for automobile sales positions.  The Jeff Wyler defendants have denied liability for the violations alleged in the EEOC's complaint. 

The lawsuit (Case No. 1:03CV622) filed on Sept. 25, 2003, under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, provides $2.3 million to 39 class members who sought employment in automobile sales positions.  The consent decree also provides for the hire of class members, to whom defendants will extend job offers.  Other provisions include management accountability in the area of equal employment opportunity, manager training with respect to the anti-discrimination requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and reporting and monitoring provisions. 

The case was resolved by consent decree in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division.  The EEOC first attempted to voluntarily resolve the case without litigation.

EEOC Regional Attorney Jacqueline McNair said, "It is disturbing that women still face the barriers and stereotypes they faced 40 years ago when Title VII was enacted.  We are pleased that the parties in this case reached an amicable resolution with important training and policy change provisions." 

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination.  Further information about the EEOC is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.