The federal government is suing a California-based home improvement contractor over claims of discriminatory practices by a former employee, according to Legal NewsLine. The employee alleges she was instructed to turn away customers perceived to be Middle Eastern or Indian.
The employee, who was hired by Fidelity Home Energy to make appointments with prospective customers, was told by her supervisors to turn away Middle Eastern or Indian people.
The employee alleges she also witnessed company practices designed to discriminate against those of Middle Eastern or Indian decent, including placing such people on a "do not call list" and "flagging" them in internal records so they would not get appointments, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) said. The company's alleged practices led the employee to emotional distress that caused her to quit her job, according to the EEOC.
"Employers cannot subject employees to a hostile working environment filled with discriminatory practices, even if those practices are directed at customers," EEOC Oakland local director Dana Johnson said in a statement. "Title VII protects employees from this type of national origin discrimination."
The EEOC is seeking lost wages and expenses, front pay, compensatory and punitive damages as well as injunctive relief from Fidelity's alleged discrimination practices.
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