On January 22, 2004 a group of Fairfield Resorts employees filed this class action lawsuit against Cendant Corporation, Fairfield Resorts, and 15 individuals working at Fairfield Resorts in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville Division. On February 18, 2005 the complaint against Cendant Corporation, the parent corporation to Fairfield Resorts, was dropped. The plaintiffs sued Fairfield Resorts and individual employees under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. 2000, and 42 U.S.C. 1981. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, asked the court for injunctive and equitable relief, as well as compensatory and punitive damages.

The plaintiffs were filing suit over alleged sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and retaliation they experienced on the job. On July 8, 2005 the plaintiffs and defendants brought a joint motion for preliminary approval of a proposed consent decree. The consent decree included monetary relief for all female employees who filed complaints with human resources, and between $75,000 and $250,000 for the named parties in the settlement. It required a commitment from the defendant to ensure equal employment opportunities for female employees and applicants.

On October 28, 2005, Judge William J. Haynes approved the consent decree. The consent decree ordered the defendant to pay a total of $550,000 to the five complainants. It further ordered the defendant to commit to equal employment opportunities for female employees; revise its policy and trainings on sexual harassment, including a Zero-Tolerance Policy; modify its complaint system to ensure complaining parties receive information about corrective actions taken; and impose substantial discipline procedures for sexual harassment and gender discrimination. The decree left open the opportunity for the plaintiff to move for attorney fees.

On January 25, 2006, Judge Haynes granted the plaintiff's unopposed motions for attorney's fees in the total of $1,439,235.00.

After the initial joint motion for approval of the consent decree, one plaintiff severed his case. He submitted a separate complaint against the same parties under Title VII and 42 U.S.C. 2000. The plaintiff asked the court for compensatory and punitive damages. He alleged that he was retaliated against after opposing the sexual harassment and gender discrimination he witnessed at Fairfield Resorts.

The docket indicates no findings on the second plaintiff’s complaints.

Gabriela Hybel - 11/21/2016


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