The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing a popular big box retailer alleging that an employee suffered “inexcusable and unlawful” discrimination at an Ottumwa, Iowa store.
The sexual discrimination suit alleges, that an employee was not promoted due to sex discrimination. The employee, who was encouraged by management to apply for an available manager, was later denied promotion upon returning from maternity leave.
According to the complaint, an assistant manager confided in the employee that the “decision makers” at the store promoted someone else instead, all because they didn’t believe she would stay with the store long term because she had a baby at home.
In addition to the charge of sexual discrimination, the EEOC has also accused the store management of racial discrimination. They allege that the very same employee, a woman and a minority, was relegated to less desirable working conditions than a non-minority colleague.
The EEOC is seeking lost wages stemming from the failure to promote the employee, as well as other damages. The EEOC is also requesting a change in policies at the big box retailer to prevent similar discrimination in the future. The case is ongoing.
Have You Experienced Employment Discrimination?
Employees across the nation suffer on-the-job employment discrimination, which all too often results in negative employment actions such as a failure to promote, harassment, or even employment termination. Discrimination on the basis of sex, including pregnancy discrimination, race, national origin or other protected classes is prohibited by law. When you have been discriminated against in your Iowa workplace, contact the Des Moines employment discrimination law office of Marc A. Humphrey for immediate assistance at 515-331-3510.
