Filed Date: Aug. 9, 2007
Closed Date: 2007
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On August 9, 2007, the United States Department of Justice ("DOJ") filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 against the Department of Parks and Recreation in Palm Beach County alleging that the defendant discriminated against an employee on the basis of his religion. Specifically, the DOJ contended that the Department of Parks and Recreation discriminated against a Christian park ranger by failing or refusing to accommodate his religious practice of attending church and refraining from work on Sundays, and for subsequently discharging him for this religious practice. The EEOC investigated the charge and found reasonable cause to believe that allegations of religious discrimination were true, attempted unsuccessfully through negotiation to achieve a voluntary resolution, and subsequently referred the charge to the DOJ. The U.S. sought remedial and injunctive relief.
On August 27, 2007, the DOJ and the defendant entered into a consent decree approved by the district court (Judge Kenneth A. Marra). The defendant was enjoined from discriminating against any employee because of that individual's good faith religious observances or practices. The defendant further agreed not to retaliate against the plaintiff or any other employees because they opposed the allegedly discriminatory practices, filed a charge with the EEOC, or cooperated or participated in this case or decree. The defendant was also ordered to reasonably accommodate the religious practices and observances of its employees and to provide training regarding Title VII's prohibition of discriminatory practices to supervisory personnel. With regards to the employee who filed the EEOC complaint, the defendant was ordered to offer the employee reinstatement with remedial seniority and back pay and to accommodate the employee's request for a work schedule that allows him to refrain from work on Sundays. The defendant was also obligated to expunge all negative references for this employee pertaining to his refusal to work on Sundays from their files. In order to accept the remedial relief offered, the employee was required to sign an executed release. Finally, the defendant agreed to furnish records and documents pertaining to their compliance with the decree to the DOJ on request.
Summary Authors
Dana Schwarz (12/20/2007)
Acosta, R. Alexander (District of Columbia)
Fenton, William B. (District of Columbia)
Harrell-James, Veronica Vanessa (Florida)
Chasseur, Ernest (Florida)
Kim, Wan J. (District of Columbia)
Marra, Kenneth A. (Florida)
Last updated Jan. 26, 2024, 3:01 a.m.
State / Territory: Florida
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Aug. 9, 2007
Closing Date: 2007
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of individual Parks and Recreation employee
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
Palm Beach County (Palm Beach), County
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Mixed
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Order Duration: 2007 - None
Issues
Discrimination-area:
Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff
Discrimination-basis:
Affected Sex or Gender: