An Ohio-based machining company, Glunt Industries, has agreed to a $2 million settlement after allegedly mistreating a human resources director for hiring women. The lawsuit was brought by U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which claimed Glunt Industries systematically denied production jobs to qualified women, and retaliated against the HR director responsible for hiring two female project managers.
According to EEOC’s complaint, after the director hired two women, the company fired them and replaced them with male employees, while also failing to provide women’s restrooms on the plant floor.
What’s so unsettling about the case
The recent settlement has raised questions about the treatment of HR professionals in the workplace. It’s worth pondering that HR professionals who attempt to correct gender bias inside companies often become targets themselves.
When an HR director is mistreated, it sends a message to others. The EEOC has brought to light several similar settlements in recent years. What’s worth noting is that discrimination and retaliation remain widespread problems.
Where does the settlement lead to now?
As part of the settlement agreement with EEOC, Glunt Industries has agreed to pay the monetary compensation and commit to injunctive relief. The company must cooperate with EEOC and ensure equal employment opportunities for female production job applicants.
While Glunt Industries has denied the allegations, the settlement is a legally-binding step towards correcting gender bias in the workplace.
The gender discrimination case once again proves that HR directors are never immune to retaliation when they push against systemic bias. It also goes to show that companies must pair hiring of underrepresented groups with robust support.
The $2 million EEOC settlement against Glunt Industries over the company’s treatment of an HR director demonstrates painfully clearly that even those in charge of enforcing fairness are sometimes silenced when they seek change. It forces employers and HR professionals alike to acknowledge that hiring women is not enough the full ecosystem must support inclusion, from restrooms to respect.
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