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WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced that President Barack Obama has appointed Stuart J. Ishimaru as Acting Chairman of the EEOC and Christine M. Griffin as Acting Vice Chair.

Ishimaru, whose term expires on July 1, 2012, has been a Commissioner since November 2003. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a second term at the EEOC in December 2007.  During his tenure, Ishimaru has primarily focused on large

Trucking Company Refused Class of Women Driver and Dockworker Jobs, Federal Agency Charged

CLEVELAND – An interstate trucking firm has agreed to pay $2.43 million and provide other remedial relief to a class of women to settle a major sex discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today. 

The EEOC had charged in the litigation that Pitt Ohio Express Inc. denied a class of qualified female applicants

Orrington Firm Subjected Employees to Sexual Advances and Scientology Indoctrination and Fired Those Who Complained, Federal Agency Charged

CHICAGO – A Chicago dental practice will pay $462,500 to settle a class sexual and religious harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.

In its lawsuit, the EEOC alleged that James L. Orrington, D.M.D., Ltd. discriminated against 18 employees by

Universal Agreement in Florida Covers 56 'Old Country Store' Locations Statewide

TAMPA – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (Cracker Barrel) today announced the signing of a Universal Agreement to Mediate (UAM) to informally resolve workplace disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) prior to an EEOC investigation or potential litigation.  The UAM applies to 56 Cracker Barrel establishments throughout Florida.

EEOC Says Three Women Subjected to Vulgar Sexual Comments, Unwanted Touching, Propositioning

SEATTLE – Fred Meyer Stores, Inc. (Fred Meyer) will  pay $485,000 to three female victims of sexual harassment and retaliation to  settle a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission  (EEOC), the EEOC announced today.

According to the EEOC’s suit (EEOC, et. al. v. Fred Meyer Stores, Inc. No. CV08-0208 HA, United States District Court of Oregon), the company’s

OPM and EEOC Partner to Co-sponsor Session

Washington, D.C.  – The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission  (EEOC)today co-hosted a meeting of the Chief Human Capital  Officers (CHCO) Council  Training Academy  focusing on how agencies can provide assistance to Americans with disabilities  who want to join the Federal Government.  Presentations were made from four agencies, including OPM, EEOC, the  Department of Treasury and the Department of Veterans

Federal Agency Charged Cell Phone Refurbishing Company With Paying Hispanic Workers Less Than Others and Firing Employees Who Complained

NEW YORK – A New York-based  company that refurbishes cell phones at its factory in Long  Island will pay $435,000 to settle a wage discrimination and  retaliation suit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC),  the agency announced today.

The EEOC  had charged that First Wireless Group, Inc. engaged in a pattern or

EEOC Says County Attempted to Force Out Senior Marine Bureau Police Officers

NEW YORK - The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced that Nassau County on Long Island will pay $450,000 and agree to significant injunctive relief to settle an age discrimination lawsuit on behalf of several police officers in the Marine Bureau. 

In its lawsuit, the EEOC asserted that Nassau County discriminated against

WASHINGTON – Peggy R. Mastroianni, Associate Legal Counsel of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), has received the "Mary C. Lawton Outstanding Government Service Award for 2008" from the American Bar Association (ABA), the EEOC announced today.

Mastroianni was selected for the award by the ABA's Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice.  The distinguished award recognizes government lawyers at the federal and state levels for outstanding contributions to the development, implementation, or improvement

Justices Decline to Review Jury Award in EEOC Case on Behalf of Deaf Worker

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity  Commission (EEOC) today announced that the Supreme Court has denied a petition  for review by Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) of a ruling by the U.S. Court  of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upholding a $100,000 punitive damages award  in an EEOC lawsuit under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) on behalf of  a

EEOC Says Retail Giant Requires Employees to Reveal Confidential Medical Information

SAN DIEGO – Dillard Store Services, Inc.  (Dillard’s), the nationwide chain of department stores, unlawfully discrimin­ates  against employees by requiring them to disclose personal and confidential  medical information or face disciplinary action including termination, the U.S.  Equal Employ­ment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charges in a class lawsuit  filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The EEOC states in the litigation  that the Dillard’s

New Publication Focuses on Frequently Asked Questions from Employers and Employees

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal  Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today issued a comprehensive  question-and-answer guide addressing how the Americans with Disabilities Act  (ADA) applies to a wide variety of performance and conduct issues.  The document is available on the agency’s web  site at www.eeoc.gov/facts/performance-conduct.html.

“The EEOC continues to receive  numerous questions on these topics from employers and from individuals with  disabilities,” said

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today issued a new question-and-answer guide aimed at promoting the hiring and advancement of individuals with disabilities in federal government employment. The new publication is available on the EEOC's web site at www.eeoc.gov/federal/qanda-employment-with-disabilities.html.

Announcing the resource publication for federal agencies, Commission Chair Naomi C. Earp said, "The EEOC is doing everything it can to provide agencies with useful guidance on how to be the nation's

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today issued a new question-and-answer guide aimed at promoting the hiring and advancement of individuals with disabilities in federal government employment. The new publication is available on the EEOC’s web site at www.eeoc.gov/federal/qanda-employment-with-disabilities.html.

Announcing the resource publication for federal agencies, Commission Chair Naomi C. Earp said, “The EEOC is doing everything it can to provide agencies with useful guidance on how to be

Federal Complaints and Processing Times Down; Government Diversity Improves

WASHINGTON – Naomi C. Earp, Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), today released the Annual Report on the Federal Work Force for Fiscal Year (FY) 2007, covering October 2006 through September 2007.  The comprehensive report, which informs and advises the President and the Congress on the state of equal employment opportunity (EEO) government-wide, is available on the agency's web site at

EEOC Said Long-Time Pharmacy Technician Fired Because of Gunshot Disability

BALTIMORE – Retail giant Wal-Mart will pay $250,000 and furnish significant injunctive relief to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.  The EEOC had charged that Wal-Mart failed to accommodate and then fired a long-time pharmacy technician who suffered a disability resulting from a gunshot wound.

In its suit (1:06-cv-2514), filed in U.S. District

Ninth Circuit Court Affirms Latina Farm Worker's Jury Award of Over $1 Million

SAN FRANCISCO  – The United States Court of  Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has affirmed the judgment on a jury verdict in  favor of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and farm  worker Olivia Tamayo in a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against  Coalinga, Calif.-based Harris  Farms, one of the largest integrated farming operations in the Central San

Retail Giant Refused to Hire Man With Cerebral Palsy, Federal Agency Charged

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Wal-Mart  Stores, Inc. will pay $300,000 to a Hardin, Mo., man to settle a disability  discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity  Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.

In its suit, the EEOC alleged that Wal-Mart refused to  hire Steve Bradley, who has cerebral palsy and uses crutches or a wheelchair  for

Agency Charged That Fort Wayne Company Denied Referrals Based on Age and Race, Retaliated Against Employees Who Objected to Discriminatory Practices

INDIANAPOLIS – A Fort Wayne staffing company will settle an age, race and retaliation discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.  The company will pay a total of $580,000 and will also pay up to $5,000 in settlement administrative expenses.

Discrimination Charges Highest in Five Years; Agency Obtains $345 Million for Victims

WASHINGTON  – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received a total of  82,792 private sector discrimination charge filings last fiscal year, the  highest volume of incoming charges since 2002 and the largest annual increase  (9%) since the early 1990s, the agency reported today as part of its Fiscal  Year 2007 enforcement and litigation statistics. The data, available online

Commission Provides Practical Information for Employers and Severely Injured Veterans

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today issued two question-and-answer (Q&A) guides providing technical assistance for employers and veterans on workplace issues affecting veterans with service-connected disabilities. Both documents are available on the agency’s web site at www.eeoc.gov.

“Injured veterans, like everyone else, deserve the freedom to compete in the workplace on a fair and

Sheet Metal Workers' Local 28 Discriminated Against Blacks and Hispanics for Years, Suit Says

NEW YORK – A federal court has granted final approval for a $6.2 million partial settlement for black and Hispanic sheet metal workers who suffered discrimination by their union, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced today. 

The EEOC and the State and City of New York, along with the Lawyers' Committee for Civil

New Report Provides Sobering Statistics and Roadmap for Agencies to Improve Hiring and Advancement

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today issued a comprehensive report addressing strategies to reverse the declining participation rate of federal employees with targeted disabilities.  The full text of the report, Improving the Participation Rate of People with Targeted Disabilities in the Federal Work Force, is available on the EEOC's web site at www.eeoc.gov/federal/report/pwtd.html

EEOC Says African American Electrician Subjected to 'N-Word' and Threats of Lynching at Worksites Across the Country

HONOLULU -- The  U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced a major settlement  of a race discrimination and retaliation lawsuit against Lockheed  Martin, the world’s largest military contractor, for  $2,500,000 and other relief on behalf of an African American electrician who  was subjected to a racially hostile work environment at several job sites  nationwide – including threats