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Security firm sued for age, sex bias
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Posted on Sep 29 2008
HONOLULU—The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said Friday that it has filed a discrimination lawsuit against Safeguard Services Inc. for allegedly violating federal law at its Pacific Guardian Center location by subjecting female security officers to harassment based on their age and sex
According to the EEOC, a supervisor repeatedly subjected the female security officers to harassing comments such as “deaf old lady,” “grandma,” and “females aren’t worth s–t.” Upon finding out about the harassment, the company allegedly took no steps to prevent or correct it. The alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
“We filed this lawsuit because Security Services failed to provide the security of a discrimination-free workplace for older female employees,” said EEOC regional lawyer Anna Park of the agency’s Los Angeles District, which includes Hawaii. “These women faced a double dose of discrimination based on their age and sex—and the company did nothing to stop it.”
The EEOC filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii after first attempting to reach a voluntary settlement out of court. The EEOC seeks back wages, compensatory and punitive damages as well as injunctive relief remedies to ensure equal employment opportunity in the workplace.
EEOC Honolulu Local Office Director Timothy Riera said, “Employers must be mindful of their responsibility to prevent hostile work environments by providing effective training for supervisory staff, as well as putting other measures in place to address and correct discrimination when it occurs.”
The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov. [B][I](EEOC)[/I][/B]
[I]U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Safeguard Services, Inc., U.S. District Court Case No. CV-08-00429
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