Case: United States of America v. Regents of the University of California

2:03-cv-00415 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

Filed Date: March 3, 2003

Closed Date: 2003

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On March 3, 2003, the United States filed a lawsuit under Title VII against the Regents of the University of California in the Eastern District of California, Sacramento division. The United States Department of Justice alleged that the Regents retaliated against two female employees for reporting sexual harassment by a male co-worker. Specifically, the United States contended that the Regents released two female employees from their employment as Telecommunications Operators because they oppos…

On March 3, 2003, the United States filed a lawsuit under Title VII against the Regents of the University of California in the Eastern District of California, Sacramento division. The United States Department of Justice alleged that the Regents retaliated against two female employees for reporting sexual harassment by a male co-worker. Specifically, the United States contended that the Regents released two female employees from their employment as Telecommunications Operators because they opposed practices they reasonably thought to be unlawful. The United States sought remedial and injunctive relief.

The EEOC investigated the complainant's charge and found reasonable cause to believe that female employees were retaliated against for engaging in protected activity in violation of Title VII. It then unsuccessfully attempted to achieve a voluntary resolution of these matters through conciliation and subsequently referred the charge to the Department of Justice.

On March 13, 2003, the plaintiffs and the defendant agreed to enter into a consent decree ordered by the Eastern District of California (Judge Edward J. Garcia). The Regents agreed to offer compensatory damages and back pay to one of the female employees. She did not wish to return to her job. The other female employee was offered reinstatement and remedial seniority. In order to accept the relief, the two employees had to sign an executed release. The Regents agreed not to retaliate against or in any way adversely affect any person because that person opposed allegedly discriminatory practices by filing a complaint. The Regents further agreed to provide mandatory sexual harassment training to all management level and supervisory employees. Finally, the Regents agreed to retain all records relating to: complaints or charges of retaliation, employees that resign or are terminated from employment, reasons pertaining to employee resignations or terminations, and all complaints of retaliation for the duration of the decree. The U.S. will have the right to inspect all such documents.

Summary Authors

Dana Schwarz (11/6/2007)

People


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Ashcroft, John (District of Columbia)

Boyd, Ralph F. Jr. (District of Columbia)

Clark, Carolyn (District of Columbia)

Fenton, William B. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Canby, Rhonda Cate (California)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:03-cv-00415

Docket (PACER)

United States v. Regents University

March 25, 2003

March 25, 2003

Docket
1

2:03-cv-00415

Complaint

United States of America v. The Regents of the University of California

March 4, 2003

March 4, 2003

Complaint

2:03-cv-00415

Consent Decree

United States of America v. The Regents of the University of California

March 13, 2003

March 13, 2003

Settlement Agreement

Docket

Last updated Jan. 24, 2024, 3:11 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT; jury demand, fee status waived, assigned to Judge Edward J. Garcia, and referred to Magistrate Judge Gregory G. Hollows (mdk) (Entered: 03/05/2003)

March 4, 2003

March 4, 2003

2

ORDER setting scheduling conference for 9:00 6/9/03 before Judge Edward J. Garcia (mdk) (Entered: 03/05/2003)

March 4, 2003

March 4, 2003

LODGED consent decree by plaintiff USA (mdk) (Entered: 03/05/2003)

March 4, 2003

March 4, 2003

3

ORDER by Judge Edward J. Garcia ORDERING the 03/04/03 lodged consent decree GRANTED; See order for details (cc: all counsel) (nac) (Entered: 03/14/2003)

March 14, 2003

March 14, 2003

4

MAIL returned [3-1] addressed to US Attorney for plaintiff USA (moved, not forwardable) (mm1) (Entered: 03/25/2003)

March 24, 2003

March 24, 2003

5

NOTICE of change of firm name, telephone number, and facsimile number by defendant Regents University (mm1) (Entered: 03/26/2003)

March 25, 2003

March 25, 2003

Case Details

State / Territory: California

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

IWPR/Wage Project Consent Decree Study

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 3, 2003

Closing Date: 2003

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

U.S. on behalf of female University of California employees

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Regents of the University of California, None

Defendant Type(s):

College/University

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Monetary Relief

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Amount Defendant Pays: 90,000

Order Duration: 2003 - 2006

Content of Injunction:

Reinstatement

Retroactive Seniority

Discrimination Prohibition

Retaliation Prohibition

Utilize objective hiring/promotion criteria

Provide antidiscrimination training

Reporting

Recordkeeping

Issues

General:

Retaliation

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Treatment

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Discrimination-basis:

Sex discrimination

Affected Sex or Gender:

Female