The recent settlement of a federal case against Wilson County, North Carolina, over a 911 operator's firing following sexual harassment claims sends a message to victims, a U.S. Department of Justice attorney said.
The takeaway for sexual harassment victims is that the DOJ has their back, department Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in the news release announcing the settlement.
U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke
| justice.gov/
"This lawsuit and settlement send a clear message that the department stands with the brave employees who oppose unlawful discrimination in the workplace, and that we will vigorously oppose any employer that attempts to use retaliation as a means to suppress an employee’s civil rights," Clarke said. "With this consent decree, Wilson County has committed to improving the workplace for all of its employees by implementing enhanced anti-discrimination training, policies and investigative procedures."
The consent decree reached between DOJ and the county, in which the county agreed to revise its discrimination and retaliation policies, as well as its investigation procedures in discrimination complaints, await a federal judge's approval.
The county also agreed to pay the fired 911 operator, Jennifer Riddle, $100,000, remove any reference to her firing in her personnel file and provide only neutral references about Riddle to any prospective employers.
DOJ filed suit in July in U.S. District Court for North Carolina's Eastern District, alleging that Riddle faced hostility from her supervisor and co-workers after her sexual harassment claims were substantiated in an investigation. An assistant director was fired following the investigation, according to the DOJ.
The lawsuit alleged that county officials violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin and religion, as well as from retaliating against employees who engage in legally protected activities, including complaining about discrimination.
