EEOC Sues Cleaning Service for Gender Discrimination
Allegiance Industries Inc., a cleaning service with worksites throughout the Atlanta area, violated federal law when it fired a female supervisor because of her sex, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission charged in a lawsuit filed April 27.
According to EEOC's suit, Civil Action No., 110-CV-1260, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Brenda Lowery was hired by Allegiance Industries in or around January 2009 as a cleaning team supervisor. Lowery's cleaning team was assigned to work at an Arthritis Foundation of Georgia worksite. According to EEOC, on several occasions throughout her employment, Allegiance Industries' district manager told Lowery that he wanted a male supervisor at the Arthritis Foundation worksite. On or around July 1, 2009, the district manager ultimately terminated Lowery, EEOC said, and again told her that he needed a man on the contract. Immediately after Lowery was fired, Allegiance Industries placed a male supervisor at that worksite.
EEOC notes that such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The agency filed suit after first attempting to reach a voluntary settlement. EEOC is seeking back pay, as well as compensatory and punitive damages for Lowery. The lawsuit also seeks injunctive relief designed to stop the sex discrimination and prevent it from recurring in the future.