Federal Complaints and Processing Times Down; Government Diversity Improves

WASHINGTON – Naomi C. Earp, Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), today released the Annual Report on the Federal Work Force for Fiscal Year (FY) 2007, covering October 2006 through September 2007.  The comprehensive report, which informs and advises the President and the Congress on the state of equal employment opportunity (EEO) government-wide, is available on the agency's web site at

Ninth Circuit Returns  EEOC Lawsuit to Lower Court  for Trial in Arizona

PHOENIX – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission  (EEOC) today announced that the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth  Circuit reversed a decision by a lower court which had concluded that The Boeing  Company did not engage in unlawful sexual harassment or retaliation at its  plant in Mesa, Ariz.  The court of appeals returned the case to Arizona for trial.

EEOC Charged that TSS Failed to Promote African Americans to Managerial Positions

LITTLE  ROCK, Ark. –  The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced that  Tobacco Superstores, Inc. (TSS) will pay $425,000 and provide significant  remedial relief to settle a race discrimination lawsuit on behalf of qualified  black workers who were denied promotion to management.

The EEOC’s lawsuit (Case No. 3:05  CV 00218) in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, 

After Judge Finds Company Liable and Dismisses Defense, Video Only Settles EEOC Suit

PORTLAND, Ore. – Home electronics retailer Video Only will  pay $630,000 and implement preventative measures to settle two  discrimination lawsuits, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission  (EEOC) announced today. Judge Garr M.  King of the U.S. District Court in Portland  signed the Consent Decree approving the settlement.

According to the EEOC's suit (Civil  Case No. 06-1362-KI in U.S. District Court for

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will hold its next open meeting on Monday, July 28, at 1 p.m. (Eastern Time), at agency headquarters, 1801 L Street, N.W.  In accordance with the Sunshine Act, the meeting is open for public observation of the Commission's deliberations.  During the meeting, the following matters are scheduled for consideration:

• Announcement of Notation Votes,
• Obligation of Funds for a Competitive Time-and-Materials Contract for

New Compliance Manual Section Addresses Wide Range of Contemporary Workplace Issues

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity  Commission (EEOC) today issued a new Compliance Manual Section regarding workplace discrimination on the basis of religion.

The Section includes a comprehensive review of the relevant provisions of Title VII  of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the EEOC’s policies regarding religious  discrimination, harassment and accommodation.  The

Two Plenary Sessions to Focus on Asian and Hispanic Federal Communities

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will hold its annual federal sector EXCEL (Examining Conflicts in Employment Law) conference from Aug. 18 to 21 at the Chicago Hilton Hotel. EXCEL is the premier national federal sector law conference and the most comprehensive of its kind examining contemporary equal employment opportunity issues and other workplace topics.

The multi-day interactive

EEOC to Focus on Federal Employment of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Equal  Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will hold its next public meeting on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.  (Eastern Time), at agency headquarters, 1801 L Street, N.W. In  accordance with the Sunshine Act, the meeting is open for public observation of  the Commission’s deliberations.

Following the announcement of notation votes, the  Commission will hear

WASHINGTON  – Constance S. Barker has been sworn in as a Commissioner of the U.S. Equal  Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today. Ms. Barker was nominated by President George W. Bush on March 31, 2008, and unanimously confirmed by the Senate on June 27 to serve the remainder of a five-year term expiring on July 1, 2011.

"We are delighted to welcome Commissioner Barker

Co-Worker Rapped Racial Slurs Despite Complaints, EEOC Charged

SAN JOSE – A major Silicon Valley manufacturer of semiconductor production equipment will pay $168,000 to settle a racial harassment and retaliation lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.  The EEOC had charged Novellus Systems, Inc. with subjecting an African American worker to racial harassment.

According to the EEOC's suit, Michael Cooke had to listen on a