It is 2022 and the EEOC is as busy as ever. What gives? Last week a furniture company paid $5 million to settle claims of nationwide sexual discrimination for failing to hire women to certain jobs. Women sought positions in sales and in the warehouse, only to be met with a flat-out NO. We often state that culture comes from the top of an organization and that was how this issue went nationwide. The EEOC reported: Corporate managers allegedly told store managers to avoid hiring women because of their tendency to “complain and make trouble.” Managers also said women can’t sell or lift and would be a “distraction” in the workplace. I half expected to read: Bang Zoom to the moon Alice!*
This company cannot just write a check and be on its way. The EEOC entered a 3-year consent decree where a plan to recruit women into these positions will be monitored, as well as training on sexual discrimination and retaliation. Business as usual will be difficult to continue with the EEOC watching.
You are thinking, my workplace is nothing like this! Yet this case has lessons for good workplaces too: train your managers and supervisors to be aware of biases and discriminatory language. A stray remark may not land you in hot water but do not ignore your workplace culture. It can creep into good workplaces without continued communication and training.
Questions? We have fixed fee training, audits and services to address these issues. We can help.
*Ralph Kramden from the Honeymooners