FORD MOTOR
CO.TO PAY UP TO $10.125 MILLION TO SETTLE EEOC HARASSMENT INVESTIGATION
Blacks and Women Subjected to Harassment at Two
Chicago Facilities, Federal Agency Found
CHICAGO – Ford Motor Company has
agreed to pay up to $10.125 million to settle sex and race harassment for a
group of individuals which was investigated by the U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC) at two Ford plants, the federal agency announced
today.
In its investigation, the EEOC
found reasonable cause to believe that personnel at two
Ford facilities in the Chicago area, the Chicago Assembly Plant and the Chicago
Stamping Plant, had subjected female and African-American employees to sexual
and racial harassment. The EEOC also found that the company retaliated against
employees who complained about the harassment or discrimination.
Such
alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Ford
chose to voluntarily resolve this issue with the EEOC, without admission of
liability, to avoid an extended dispute.
The conciliation
agreement provides monetary relief of up to $10.125 million to those who are
found eligible through a claims process established by the agreement. The
agreement also ensures that during the next five years, Ford will conduct
regular training at two of its Chicago-area facilities; continue to disseminate
its anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies and procedures to employees
and new hires; report to EEOC regarding complaints of harassment and/or related
discrimination; and monitor its workforce regarding issues of alleged sexual or
racial harassment and related discrimination.
“Ford
Motor Company has worked with the EEOC to address complaints of harassment and
discrimination at these two facilities and to implement policies and
procedures that will effectively prevent future harassment or provide prompt
action when harassment complaints arise.
Ford has taken its responsibilities seriously and is committed to
providing its employees with a work environment free of discrimination and
harassment,” said the EEOC’s Chicago District Director, Julianne Bowman.
The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws that prohibit employment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov. Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.
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