In this Title VII case, brought in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by the EEOC's Philadelphia District Office in August 2002, the complaint alleged that the defendant, a nationwide chain of lingerie stores, subjected the charging party, a comanager of a Victoria's Secret store in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, to a hostile working environment because of her race (Black) and religion (Baptist) and failed to accommodate her need to attend religious services. The white store manager, white comanagers, and white sales associates repeatedly made offensive remarks and insulted charging party's race and religion. The complaint further alleged that defendant failed to cooperate in scheduling Sunday work so that she could attend church services. As a result of the hostile working environment, the charging party quit her job.

In September 2002, the charging party intervened, adding causes of action under the Pennsylvania Human Rights Act and state tort law. Defendant sought to consolidate the case with another one, but that motion was denied, and the case was given a trial date. After resolution of several discovery disputes, the case was resolved in June 2003 through a consent decree which provided for payment of $179,300 to charging party. We do not have a copy of the decree; therefore, the exact terms of the settlement are unknown.

Margo Schlanger - 06/01/2007


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