Work of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - Research Paper Example

This complaint was filed to represent a class of women who were victims of sexual harassment by male co-workers who subjected them to sexual comments, sexual propositions, or physical touching. In the complaint, there was also an allegation that the female workers were fired by the employer as a form of retaliation for punishing the victims for complaining about the sexually hostile work environment in their office. Due to the unbearable stress and emotional torture that the female workers had to go through, at least one female employee was forced to quit and resign from work to relieve her of the miserable workplace” (eeoc.gov). In the investigation conducted by the director of the EEOC, it was discovered that the male employees of Reedsburg McDonald’s were guilty of the charges against them by placing the female co-workers in “a work environment consumed by remarks that intimidate, ridicule, and maliciously demean the status of women can create an environment that contains unwanted sexual advances is tantamount to sexual harassment” (Smith V. First Union National Bank (202, F. 3d 234,242, 4th Cir. 2000).  In the investigation report, it was shown that the male workers made sexual comments about the body parts of their female co-workers, and touched them inappropriately and maliciously. The report further indicated that several of the victims were only teenage high school students. The lawsuit filed by EEOC arose from the discrimination complaints filed by three former employees of the McDonald’s fast food in Reedsburg. “In total, Missoula Mac owns and operates 42 McDonald’s restaurants in Wisconsin. After failing to reach a voluntary out-of-court settlement through the mediation-conciliation procedure, the EEOC finally sued the company. The agency sought lost wages and compensatory and punitive damages on behalf of the women who were harassed and retaliated by the company, and injunctive relief to prevent further discriminatory practices within the workplace. The complaint was filed before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin in Madison, with the caption EEOC v. Missoula Mac, Inc” (eeoc.gov).

“The office of the EEOC in Chicago District Office shall be in charge of the processing of complaints for discrimination, enforcement of administrative issues, and shall supervise the conduct of litigation of the agency of the several states, namely: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin with some areas in Milwaukee and Minneapolis” (eeoc.gov.).

The role of the agency is to represent employees who have been discriminated against by their employers because of “race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or genetic information. The administrative enforcement of the office receives, investigates, and resolves charges of employment discrimination filed against private sector employers, employment agencies, labor unions, and state and local governments, including charges of systematic discrimination. It shall also be responsible for the litigation of employees in the private sector, employment agencies, and labor unions. The agency conducts administrative hearings and issues appellate decisions on complaints of discrimination, which are filed by federal employees and applicants for federal employment” (eeoc). 

This instant case promotes a positive move for social change because it seeks justice for women who have been victims of harassment in the workplace. The agency protects the rights of employees who were oppressed by their employers. The victims of this case are women, including teenage girls. The agency ensures that the rights of these individuals will no longer be violated by representing them in litigation processes to pursue their cases in court.

Our present society needs assistance from an agency like EEOC because it promotes equality and fairness among all members of society, setting aside any social distinction. The women in this particular case shall be given equal opportunities in the workplace and must not be discriminated against based on sex. The agency will help to elevate the dignity of every employee throughout the country.

As the senior manager of a company, I will ensure that policies on sexual harassment must be strictly implemented in our office to prevent the future happening of a similar situation. All employees must abide religiously by the rules and regulations imposed in the company in the promotion of equality, fairness, and equal opportunity among its employees. I will also advise the Human Resource department to conduct talks, seminars, and training among employees to be able to send the message across to them and to give them a deeper understanding, wisdom, and purpose of why such policies are being implemented.