In August 2003, the EEOC's Phoenix office filed this suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona against PVNF LLC d/b/a Chuck Daggett Motors alleging violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978. Specifically, the EEOC alleged the defendant created a hostile work environment for pregnant women and all females through verbal abuse, including disparaging remarks and insults directed at all pregnant women, sexist remarks and anti-female remarks. In addition, the EEOC alleged that the defendant denied women payments for insurance premiums and retaliated against women who opposed the unlawful practices. In April 2004, the parties reached a consent decree, which was adopted by the court, that settled the suit regarding pregnancy discrimination claims. The sexism claims proceeded to trial, following cross motions for summary judgment, in May 2005. Following a four day trial, the defendant moved for and was granted a Judgment as a Matter of Law. The EEOC unsuccessfully moved to amend the judgment and for a new trial before filing an appeal in December 2005. The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed in part and remanded the case for a new trial because it found that a reasonable jury could determine that the complainants were subjected to a hostile work environment. It allowed the judgment as a matter of law for the defendant to stand on the issue of whether a particular complainant was constructively discharged.

Tony Friedman - 08/25/2007


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