Benefits October 3, 2011

Hampton Inn Sued for Bias against Non-Hispanics

October 3, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - A Hampton Inn franchise in Craig, Colorado, owned and operated by Century Shree Corporation and Century Rama, Inc. illegally terminated employees beginning in August onwards because of their race, Caucasian, and national origin, non-Hispanic, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
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In a lawsuit filed by the agency September 29, 2011, the EEOC alleges that the two companies violated federal recordkeeping laws when they failed to archive and preserve employment records for at least one year so that the agency could properly investigate the charges.  

According to an EEOC news release, a class of employees, including Wendy Buckley, Ashlee Flannery, and Dewetta McKnight, were discharged from the Hampton Inn at Craig, Colorado, because the owners of the companies subscribed to stereotypes that White or non-Hispanic workers were indolent. Employers are prohibited from discharging employees because of their race or national origin, including if the action is informed by negative myths and stereotypes, as this action violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the agency said.  

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The suit seeks back pay and compensatory damages on behalf of Buckley, Flannery, McKnight, and all other employees adversely affected by Century Shree Corp. and Century Rama, Inc.’s conduct. The EEOC is also prioritizing non-economic relief in the lawsuit, including seeking a permanent injunction against the employers that will prohibit them from discriminating in the future, and requiring the owners, managers, and supervisors of the two companies to undergo training on federal antidiscrimination laws.

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