On December 1, 2008, eleven African American plaintiffs, who sought to represent a class of over 10,000 members, filed a lawsuit against Compass Group PLC and its subsidiaries, in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, under 42 U.S.C. § 1981, Title VII, Philadelphia state law. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, asked the court for declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as monetary damages in excess of $1 billion, claiming that Compass had engaged in a pattern and practice of race and color discrimination. Specifically, the plaintiffs claimed that they were subjected to racial slurs, discriminatory work assignments and compensation, discriminatory promotional and disciplinary policies and practices, and other discriminatory terms of employment. Further, plaintiffs alleged that Compass retaliated against those employees who complained of the discrimination by demoting them, stripping them of job duties and responsibilities, or terminating them. Plaintiffs additionally accused Compass of negligent hiring, training, and supervision, and claimed that Compass knew or should have known that its employees were engaging in unlawful conduct towards the plaintiffs.

On April 27, 2009, the court ordered the case suspended, presumably so the parties could reach a settlement agreement. On August 11, 2009, the court dismissed the case with prejudice, noting the parties had reached a settlement. The contents of the settlement is not available.

Jennifer Gitter - 03/12/2013


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