On September 29, 2006, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) brought this lawsuit against Autozone, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The EEOC alleged sex discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and sought injunctive and monetary relief. More specifically, the complainant, a female employee who intervened in this lawsuit, was allegedly subjected to sexual harassment and then illegally discharged for asserting her rights. Judge Timothy Corrigan and Judge Monte Richardson were assigned to this case.

The defendant sought summary judgment, but the court denied this on July 1, 2008. Judge Corrigan ordered the case to be set for settlement conferences before Judge Richardson on July 28, 2008. After some settlement discussions, the parties came to an agreement. On December 24, 2008, the court approved the parties’ consent decree.

Pursuant to the consent decree, the court retained jurisdiction over the matter for two years. This decree required that:
1. The defendant was prohibited from engaging in conduct in violation of Title VII, and was prohibited from sex discrimination and retaliation.
2. The defendant was required to provide anti-discrimination training to its employees.
3. The defendant was required to pay the plaintiffs $150,000.00 for monetary relief. Around $100,000 went to the individual claimants, and $50,000 was to be used to cover attorney's fees.
4. The defendant had to report all complaints of sexual harassment or retaliation to the EEOC.
5. The defendant had to keep a record of all complaints of sex discrimination and retaliation for EEOC inspection.
6. The defendant had to post on its employee bulletin board a notice that would detail this lawsuit.

The two year consent decree was carried out without any further litigation. The case is now closed.

Kevin Wilemon - 05/27/2008
Sean Whetstone - 06/22/2018


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