Sexual Harassment Settlement
Mitsubishi! > Issues > Employment Discrimination > EEOC (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) > Press Release > EEOC Scores Major Victory in Mitsubishi Lawsuit
Abstract: EEOC Scores Major Victory in Mitsubishi Lawsuit
January 21, 1998. Chicago, Illinois. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) scored a major legal victory yesterday in its class action sexual harassment lawsuit against Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, Inc. Ruling in EEOC's favor, Federal District Court Judge Joe Billy McDade held that the agency could pursue its sexual harassment lawsuit as a class action "pattern or practice" suit. Mitsubishi had argued that a class action "pattern or practice" approach was not workable in the sexual harassment context, and sought to require EEOC to litigate the case, involving more than 300 victims, on a person-to-person basis.
In its sweeping decision, the Court also rejected a number of procedural arguments raised by Mitsubishi in its efforts to derail the lawsuit.
John C. Hendrickson, EEOC's Regional Attorney in the agency's Chicago District Office, said, "This is the first court that has addressed directly the question of whether Title VII authorizes 'pattern or practice' suits in the sexual harassment context. The court answered this question with an emphatic 'yes'. This decision will make it easier for women to pursue class action lawsuits for sexual harassment and make it more difficult for employees to engage in 'scorched earth' litigation tactics to deter women from pursuing class action sexual harassment claims."
For complete text of EEOC's press release: EEOC Scores Major Victory in Mitsubishi Lawsuit (January 21, 1998)
Relevant links
Sexual harassment lawsuit cases against Mitsubishi Motors Manufacturing at Normal Plant
Age Discrimination lawsuit cases against Mitsubishi
A few laws: