AELMINGS HUMAN RESOURCES CORPORATION AND RELATED COMPANIES SUED BY EEOC FOR RETALIATION

Employee Terminated for Complaining About Sexual Harassment, Federal Agency Charges

RALEIGH,  N.C. – Three commonly owned North Carolina placement agencies violated federal law by terminating an employee for opposing sexual  harassment, the U.S. Equal Employment Oppor­tunity Commission (EEOC) charged in  a lawsuit filed today.

According to the EEOC’s suit, Aelmings Human Resources  Corporation, along with two related entities, Judges Security Staffing, LLC and  Total Protection Services of the Carolinas, LLC, employed Kieshara Powell as an  administrative assistant at their shared offices in Raleigh, N.C. Around Feb.18, 2005, Powell complained to the  companies’ management that she was being sexually harassed by a co-worker. On Feb. 25, 2005, Powell was discharged in  retaliation for complaining about the sexual harassment, according to the EEOC.

Such  action violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed suit in the U.S. District  Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Western Division (Equal Employ­ment Opportunity Commission v.  Aelmings Human Resources Corp., Judges Security Staffing, LLC, and Total  Protection Services of the Carolinas, LLC,  Civil Action No. 5:09-cv-00122), after first attempting to reach a voluntary  settlement.

The  lawsuit seeks monetary relief for Powell and an injunction preventing the  companies from retaliating against employees who oppose unlawful employment  practices.

“Employees  must be assured that they can complain about sexual harassment to their  management without fear of reprisal,” said Lynette A. Barnes, regional attorney  of EEOC’s Charlotte District Office. “Women  like Ms. Powell should not have to choose between enduring harassment and  earning a paycheck.”

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