EEOC SUES PLANET FORD FOR RACE, AGE AND SEX HARASSMENT, RETALIATION

White Salesman Was Forced to Quit After Complaining About Harassment and Retaliation, By Black Supervisor, Federal Agency Charges

HOUSTON - The U.S. Equal  Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today filed a workplace discrimination  lawsuit against Worldclass Automotive, doing business as Planet Ford, a North Houston new and used car dealership and service  center.

The EEOC's suit (C.A. No. 4:09-cv-3096)  in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas), charged that William  Robinson, a Caucasian male over age 40, was subjected to un­lawful harassment  based on his race, age, and sex by his African American male supervisor Further,  Robinson complained to higher management to no avail, the EEOC said. Robinson found his sales paperwork in his  supervisor’s waste basket and the supervisor told Robinson he would not process  Robinson’s deals. According to the  complaint, the continued harassment and retaliatory treatment forced Robinson to  resign at the end of May 2007. The  complaint also alleges that another salesman was subjected to harassment  because of his age and sex.

"Employees  have an absolute right under federal law to be free from this type of harassment  in the workplace," said R. J. Ruff, Jr., director of the Houston District  Office. "Further, it is illegal to retaliate  against and fire an employee for complaining about unlawful harassment."

Title VII  of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibits employment discrimination on the  basis of race and sex, which includes unlawful harassment on these bases. The statute also prohibits employers from  retaliating against employees who complain about conduct which violates the statute. Further, the Age Discrimination in Employment  Act prohibits harassment based on age and retaliation against employees who  complain about such harassment or other age discrimination. The EEOC filed the lawsuit after first  attempting to reach a voluntary settlement. The agency is seeking back wages,  compensatory and punitive damages and other relief.

Houston  Regional Attorney Jim Sacher said, "By this lawsuit, the EEOC sends a  message to companies, both small and large, that it will vigorously prosecute  all violations of workplace anti-discrimination law."

The EEOC enforces federal laws  prohibiting employment discrimination.  Further information about the EEOC is available on the agency’s web site  at www.eeoc.gov.

Anyone who believes he or she has  been subjected to a discriminatory employment practice is encouraged to contact  the EEOC's Houston District Office, which is located in downtown Houston on the  sixth floor of the Mickey Leland Federal Building at 1919 Smith Street and may  be reached by telephone at (713) 209-3372.