The EEOC filed this suit in December 1998 against Preferred Home Healt Care and related corporate entities, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. The suit alleged a pattern or practice of religious discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The owners of Preferred regard their company as a religious institution, believing that "Preferred is God's home health care agency." A number of employees alleged that Preferred made employment decisions on the basis of the individual's religion, and subjected employees to a hostile work environment.

The EEOC was successful on a partial motion for summary judgment. Defendant filed a motion for summary judgment which was denied. EEOC v. Preferred Management Corp., 216 F. Supp. 2d 763 (S.D. Ind. 2002). In July 2002, an eight day trial was held, and the jury returned a partial verdict for the EEOC, awarding a total of $270,000 to six complainants. The court also entered injunctive relief, which included permanently enjoining the defendant from religious discrimination, requiring the defendant to distribute and post notice, and ordering the defendant to maintain a record of religious complaints. The defendant appealed the outcome but ultimately dismissed the appeal voluntarily.

William Burns - 03/28/2008


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