Sherwood Food Distributors, a major food distribution company, has reached a resolution with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regarding a lawsuit alleging sex-based employment discrimination. The case, EEOC v. Sherwood Food Distributors, LLC, Civil Action No. 1:16-cv-02386, was filed in federal court and centered around accusations that Sherwood Food Distributors discriminated against female applicants.
According to the EEOC, Sherwood Food Distributors allegedly violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC contended that since at least January 1, 2009, Sherwood Food Distributors intentionally did not hire women for warehouse positions at its facilities in Cleveland, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan, effectively denying them employment opportunities based on their sex.
To settle the lawsuit, Sherwood Food Distributors and the EEOC have agreed to a Consent Decree. This legally binding agreement outlines several key actions that Sherwood Food Distributors must undertake to rectify the alleged discriminatory practices and ensure a fair and equitable workplace for all applicants.
The Consent Decree mandates several forms of relief. Firstly, Sherwood Food Distributors is required to provide monetary compensation to a class of female applicants who were identified by the EEOC as not being hired due to their sex. In addition to financial remedies, Sherwood Food Distributors is also obligated to offer employment opportunities to qualified female applicants identified by the agency, ensuring that women have a fair chance to be employed in warehouse positions. Crucially, the federal court order and federal law now explicitly prohibit Sherwood Food Distributors from any form of sex-based discrimination against applicants. This includes, but is not limited to, discriminatory practices in recruitment and hiring processes.
Furthermore, Sherwood Food Distributors is legally prevented from retaliating against any individual who engages in activities protected under Title VII. This protection extends to those who complain about or report alleged discrimination or retaliation, participate in internal investigations related to such claims, or oppose any conduct deemed unlawful by Title VII.
To foster a more inclusive workplace culture, Sherwood Food Distributors is mandated to implement comprehensive training programs. All current and future managers, supervisors, and employees will receive mandatory training focused on the prohibition of employment discrimination and retaliation. This training aims to educate the workforce on their rights and responsibilities under Title VII and to prevent future discriminatory practices.
In terms of record-keeping and transparency, Sherwood Food Distributors is required to meticulously maintain all employment-related documents. This includes all applications, application materials, and any other records containing information provided by job applicants. The company is also obligated to maintain applicant flow logs to track the progress of applications and ensure fairness in the hiring process.
To solidify its commitment to non-discrimination, Sherwood Food Distributors will officially adopt a non-discrimination policy. This policy will be formally distributed to all employees, including managers, ensuring that everyone within the organization is aware of the company’s stance against discrimination and the procedures for reporting any concerns.
To facilitate the reporting of discrimination complaints, Sherwood Food Distributors will establish accessible channels for applicants and employees. This includes setting up a toll-free phone number and a secure email address where individuals can report any instances of perceived discrimination. These reporting mechanisms aim to provide a safe and confidential way for individuals to voice their concerns and ensure that complaints are addressed promptly and effectively.
To ensure accountability and ongoing compliance, the EEOC will actively monitor Sherwood Food Distributors’ adherence to the terms of the Consent Decree. This monitoring process will help to verify that Sherwood Food Distributors is fulfilling its obligations and making meaningful changes to prevent future discrimination.
The EEOC plays a vital role in enforcing federal laws against employment discrimination. These laws protect individuals from discrimination based on various factors including sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. Individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination or retaliation for opposing or reporting discrimination have the right to contact the EEOC. The EEOC can be contacted at (800) 669-4000, or for those with hearing impairments, at (800) 669-6820 (TTY) or (844)-234-5122 (ASL Video Phone). Inquiries can also be sent via email to [email protected]. The EEOC, as a federal law enforcement agency, provides its services without any fees. Further information about the EEOC, including guidance on how to file a charge online, is available at www.eeoc.gov.
This resolution between Sherwood Food Distributors and the EEOC serves as an important reminder of the significance of equal employment opportunity and the legal obligations of employers to ensure fair hiring practices for all individuals. Any inquiries regarding this notice or compliance with its terms can be directed to Melanie M. Peterson, Senior Trial Attorney at the EEOC, whose contact details are provided in the original notice.
