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Press Release 09-20-2019

Waterford School District to Pay $107,000  to Settle EEOC Retaliation Lawsuit

School District Failed to Recall Teacher in Retaliation for His Age Discrimination Complaints Federal Agency Charged

DETROIT - The Waterford Public School System, a school district in Waterford, Mich., will pay $107,000 and provide other relief to settle a retaliation case filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.

According to the EEOC's lawsuit, a history and social studies teacher was subjected to a layoff. Because the teacher believed he was laid off because of his age, he filed a discrimination charge with the EEOC. The lawsuit alleged that subsequently the school district recalled other teachers to work full time and hired other full-time social studies teachers but did not recall the history teacher to his former position in retaliation for his EEOC charge.      

Such alleged conduct violates the anti-retaliation provision in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). After attempting to reach a pre-litigation resolution through its con­ciliation process, the EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District Court of Michigan (EEOC v. Waterford Public School System, Case No. 11015). In addition to the mon­etary relief, the 2 ½-year consent decree settling the suit provides for injunctive relief, notice posting and training on the ADEA.

"Federal law expressly prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for filing an EEOC charge," explained EEOC Trial Attorney Nedra Campbell. "Waterford School District should be commended for resolving this case and agreeing to take these bold affirmative steps to ensure that employees are protected from retaliation," she added.

The EEOC's Detroit Field Office is part of the Indianapolis District Office, which over­sees Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and parts of Ohio.

The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov.  Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.