Filed Date: June 14, 2004
Closed Date: 2004
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On June 14, 2004, the Baltimore office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit under Title VII against Brinker International, Inc., Chili's of Maryland, Inc., and Chili's of Belair, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The EEOC alleged that the defendants had violated the rights of female employees by subjecting them to sexual harassment in the workplace at the hands of their manager. The EEOC also alleged that one of the complainants had been wrongfully fired for protesting against the sexual harassment.
On July 28, 2004, the parties filed a consent decree with the court. Under the terms of the decree, the defendants were enjoined from discriminating or retaliating against any of their employees. Defendants agreed to pay $243,000 in damages to the four complainants (including $33,000 in attorneys' fees), as well as $40,000 to eligible claimants, whose eligibility was to be determined by the EEOC. Within 90 days of the consent decree, the defendants were to provide at least 2 hours of training to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace to all employees and managers at the Bel Air location of the business. Defendants were to obtain prior approval from the EEOC of the material to be presented, and they had to provide the EEOC an attendance list for the training sessions within 10 days after the sessions were complete. Every 90 days during the duration of the consent decree, the defendants were required to report to the EEOC any complaints of sexual harassment made as well as any remedial measures taken in response to such complaints.
Summary Authors
Justin Kanter (2/20/2008)
Last updated March 17, 2024, 3:15 a.m.
State / Territory: Maryland
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
IWPR/Wage Project Consent Decree Study
Key Dates
Filing Date: June 14, 2004
Closing Date: 2004
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on behalf of one or more workers.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Chili's of Belair, Inc. (Bel Air), Private Entity/Person
Chili's of Maryland, Inc. (Bel Air), Private Entity/Person
Brinker International, Inc. (Bel Air), Private Entity/Person
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Amount Defendant Pays: 283000
Order Duration: 2004 - 2006
Content of Injunction:
Post/Distribute Notice of Rights / EE Law
Provide antidiscrimination training
Issues
General:
Discrimination-area:
Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff
Harassment / Hostile Work Environment
Discrimination-basis:
Affected Sex or Gender:
EEOC-centric: