Wheeler Trucking to Pay $65,000 to Settle EEOC Race and Religion Discrimination Lawsuit

Background:

CLEVELAND – Wheeler Trucking, Inc., and Wheeler Logistics, Inc., nationwide automotive hauling and logistics companies, will pay $65,000 and provide additional relief to settle a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for race and religion discrimination and retaliation, the agency announced today.

The lawsuit was filed by the EEOC against Wheeler Trucking after allegations of discriminatory practices at the company's Sheffield, Ohio location. The case involves serious accusations of both race and religion discrimination, as well as retaliatory actions taken against an employee for asserting his rights.

Allegations:

According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, Wheeler Trucking subjected Charles R. Lynch, III, a Torah observant employee, to discrimination by revoking his religious accommodation, which allowed him to have Saturdays off to observe the Sabbath. The company also subjected Lynch, who is Israeli, to harassment that included derogatory comments likening him to a terrorist and mocking his religious beliefs. Despite Lynch’s complaints, the company failed to take appropriate action to stop the harassment. Furthermore, the company retaliated against Lynch by altering his work conditions and ultimately terminating his employment when he continued to request religious accommodations.

Settlement:

The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. Wheeler Trucking, Inc., et al., 1:23-cv-01874) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, after efforts to reach a settlement through administrative conciliation failed. The consent decree settling the lawsuit requires Wheeler Trucking to pay $65,000 to Lynch. In addition to the monetary relief, the decree mandates Wheeler Trucking to implement measures to prevent future discrimination and retaliation. These measures include creating anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation policies, conducting mandatory training for all employees on Title VII’s prohibitions against race and religion discrimination, and submitting periodic reports to the EEOC on any complaints of discrimination or retaliation.

Conclusion:

This settlement underscores the importance of adhering to federal laws that protect employees from discrimination and retaliation based on race and religion. The measures Wheeler Trucking has agreed to implement are designed to foster a workplace environment that respects religious practices and upholds the rights of all employees.