You have probably heard of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This federal agency was established to administer and enforce the civil rights laws that prohibit workplace discrimination.
As part of their duties, the agency files suit against companies that are accused of using discriminatory practices in their hiring, promotions and firing of employees. Below are some of their recent legal actions against American companies.
- Settlement against Dollar General
- Settlement against United Parcel Service (UPS) for discriminating against workers and applicants regarding their religious beliefs that conflict against the company’s appearance policies
- Settlement against Bass Pro for not hiring Hispanics and African-Americans
- Settlement against Lowe’s for firing workers for taking excessive leave of absence
- Settlement against the USPS for disability discrimination against federal workers in permanent rehabilitation positions
- Ongoing litigation against Performance Food Group for not hiring women at one of their distribution facilities.
It may be possible for workers at these companies to qualify to receive payments from these settlements and court actions. But that is not the only way to collect from discriminatory practices in the workplace.
Employment law is a very specialized field. You may not realize that you do indeed have a viable case. It is always recommended that you consult with an Illinois employment law attorney if you believe that your workplace has engaged or is engaging in discriminatory practices.
In some cases, you may qualify for a special status as a whistleblower. This could lead to even more settlement funds coming your way should you prevail in your actions. Your attorney can review your case thoroughly and offer guidance throughout the process.