EEOC files against Henredon
Claims that workers were subjected to hostile environment
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, September 15, 2006
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a civil suit against Henredon Furniture, contending that African-American workers at its now-shuttered High Point plant were racially harassed.
In a complaint filed in U.S. District Court here, the EEOC said the workers were subjected to “a racially hostile work environment” from 1997 until the plant was closed in January.
“The racial harassment included unwelcome racial slurs, jokes and comments by numerous employees, including supervisors,” the complaint said. The agency alleges that employees complained to Henredon officials, but the company “failed to take reasonable steps to prevent or correct the racial harassment.”
The suit seeks unspecified damages for three specific workers and for other unnamed African-American employees of the factory. It also asks the court to issue a permanent injunction against Henredon to prevent future racial harassment and discrimination.
A spokesman for Henredon’s parent company, Furniture Brands International, couldn’t be reached for comment.
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EEOC files against Henredon
Sep 24, 2006
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