A Georgia-based sanitation company, Waste Industries USA, has agreed to a $3.1 million settlement following allegations of sex discrimination brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The settlement addresses claims that the company systematically refused to hire women for truck driver positions, engaging in discriminatory hiring practices and fostering a sexist work environment.
According to the lawsuit, which was filed last year, Waste Industries and its subsidiaries turned away qualified female applicants while subjecting them to demeaning comments. Female applicants were reportedly referred to as “prissy girls” and were told that they were “taking a job away from a man.” These discriminatory practices allegedly date back to 2016.
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, under Judge J.P. Boulee, approved the settlement. While the company has not admitted wrongdoing, it has agreed to implement changes to its hiring and recruitment practices. Waste Industries will also update its anti-discrimination policies and work with the EEOC to address any future complaints related to gender discrimination.
Christine Ladd, the applicant who filed the initial complaint, was denied a truck driver position in 2018 despite being more qualified than some of the male applicants who were hired. She reported being asked why she was trying to “take a job from a man.”
This settlement is part of the EEOC’s broader effort to break down barriers for women in male-dominated industries like trucking. EEOC Chair Charlotte Burrows emphasized that workplace discrimination and harassment often prevent women from accessing well-paying jobs in fields where they are underrepresented.
In addition to the financial settlement, Waste Industries has committed to expanding its pool of qualified female driver applicants through improved recruitment, outreach, and anti-discrimination measures. The company will also allow the EEOC to monitor complaints for any ongoing issues.
The case, EEOC v. Waste Industries USA, represents a significant moment in the EEOC’s ongoing effort to promote gender equality in industries where women have historically been excluded.
For further information, refer to EEOC v. Waste Industries USA, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Case No. 1:23-cv-04293.
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