The EEOC has secured a $400,000 settlement from Four Seasons Home Health Care Agency for its discriminatory practices. The agency was found to have accommodated clients' racial preferences in job assignments, leading to the exclusion of Black and Hispanic workers.
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| Four Seasons Home Health Care Agency to pay $400,000 to settle EEOC lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in job assignments. The agency routinely accommodated clients' racial preferences, leading to the exclusion of Black and Hispanic workers. Image Credit: Freepik |
New York, USA - September 25, 2024:
A Brooklyn-based home health care agency, Four Seasons Licensed Home Health Care Agency, has agreed to pay $400,000 to settle a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
The EEOC alleged that Four Seasons routinely accommodated patients' racial preferences when assigning home health aides. This practice involved removing Black and Hispanic aides from assignments and replacing them with aides of a different race. The agency argued that such actions violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race and national origin.
The settlement includes a $400,000 monetary award for affected home health aides and various non-monetary remedies to prevent future discrimination. Four Seasons is now required to update its internal policies, provide mandatory training to management employees, and report any discrimination complaints.
The EEOC emphasized that employers cannot make job assignments based on a client's racial preferences. "It is imperative for employers to have safeguards in place that prevent a client's prejudices from influencing their employment decisions," said EEOC Regional Attorney Kimberly A. Cruz.
The settlement serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight against racial discrimination in the workplace. The EEOC will continue to investigate and address allegations of discrimination, ensuring that all employees are treated fairly and equitably.