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Vicars Powersports, based in McAlester, Oklahoma, offered to settle a sex discrimination lawsuit by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The lawsuit alleged the new general manager of Vicars Powersports fired a female manager, who was performing her job satisfactorily, simply because she was a woman. Before she was terminated, she was subjected to “sexually offensive conduct.” She was told that her position was being eliminated. A few weeks later, the store announced on social media that a male employee was promoted into her old position. The EEOC contends that this conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Lawsuit settled
The EEOC filed suit last September after first attempting to resolve the case through its pre-litigation conciliation process. The conciliation process continues after the lawsuit is filed. The EEOC and Vicars reached a settlement that includes $75,000 in monetary relief for the former employee.
Vicars is also bound to a 3-year consent decree that requires the dealership to notify all employees of their rights, to train managers and employees about discrimination under Title VII. Vicars will also be required to report to the EEOC about any future complaints of alleged sex discrimination.
Employers must provide discrimination-free workplace
Title VII not only prohibits discrimination based on sex or gender, but it also prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, and national origin.
David Davis, director of the EEOC’s St. Louis District office, said, “Industries such as motorsports and all-terrain vehicle sales that frequently promote male-centric advertising and stereotypes must actively ensure they offer equal employment opportunities to women.”
Employers should know that using outdated stereotypes to judge a person’s ability to do the job is illegal. The EEOC is committed to preventing unlawful discrimination in the workplace. Employers and employees can more information about laws that prevent discrimination in the workplace at https://www.eeoc.gov/sex-based-discrimination.
