A federal lawsuit, claiming that a former general manager at a Northern California Toyota dealership discriminated against several Afghan American employees, has been settled in the plaintiff's favor. Will you be trying to purchase or sell a used or new SUV? If this could be you, do yourself a favor and look into Gus Johnson new cars!
Saying yes to pay the fee
As reported by CBS Atlanta, Toyota dealership located in Fremont, Calif. last week agreed to pay out $400,000.
Not good to threaten
The suit accuses a former general manager at Fremont Toyota of threatening to blow up four Afghan-American sellers with a grenade and calling then "terrorists" during a board meeting in 2007.
It is not okay to harass based on nationality. In fact, it is against the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The employees were really loyal though, according to Mohammad Sawary, one of the employees. It is quite ironic. He said:
"The irony of this matter is that, after being labeled ‘terrorists’ at our old job, most of us found work with the U.S. military serving in Afghanistan protecting U.S. soldiers from the terrorists."
Decided to quit
The salesmen explained that they wound up with more job scrutiny because of the abuse and harassment that was reported. Eventually, they quit their jobs and went somewhere else.
An Afghan American manager was brave enough to stand up for the salesmen, but he got terminated for it.
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The EEOC
In order to help the employees out, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the suit as the employment discrimination watchdog for the government.
Attorney William Tamayo said:
"We hope this case clearly signals that the civil rights laws of this country protect everyone from illegal discrimination, regardless of their national origin.”
The EEOC District Director in San Francisco is Michael Baldonado. He explained that the California Bay area has the largest population of Afghan people outside of Afghanistan itself.
He said:
“We hope this settlement makes more people in the Afghan community aware of their rights and how the EEOC can protect them as we continue our outreach to under-served communities.”
The bureau also reported that, as part of the settlement, Fremont Toyota must educate its employees and managers on discrimination.
The current manager of Fremont Toyota and his lawyers have declined to comment on the matter. However, one wonders why the EEOC went after the dealership alone, a dealership of vehicles and vehicle loans, and not the unnamed previous general manager. He is, after all, the one accused of making the offensive comments in the first place.
Sources
CBS Atlanta
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Union City Patch
Saying yes to pay the fee
As reported by CBS Atlanta, Toyota dealership located in Fremont, Calif. last week agreed to pay out $400,000.
Not good to threaten
The suit accuses a former general manager at Fremont Toyota of threatening to blow up four Afghan-American sellers with a grenade and calling then "terrorists" during a board meeting in 2007.
It is not okay to harass based on nationality. In fact, it is against the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The employees were really loyal though, according to Mohammad Sawary, one of the employees. It is quite ironic. He said:
"The irony of this matter is that, after being labeled ‘terrorists’ at our old job, most of us found work with the U.S. military serving in Afghanistan protecting U.S. soldiers from the terrorists."
Decided to quit
The salesmen explained that they wound up with more job scrutiny because of the abuse and harassment that was reported. Eventually, they quit their jobs and went somewhere else.
An Afghan American manager was brave enough to stand up for the salesmen, but he got terminated for it.
To Get The Most Advantageous Offer On A new Car, Van, Truck or SUV Take a look at Houston TX BMW Today!
The EEOC
In order to help the employees out, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the suit as the employment discrimination watchdog for the government.
Attorney William Tamayo said:
"We hope this case clearly signals that the civil rights laws of this country protect everyone from illegal discrimination, regardless of their national origin.”
The EEOC District Director in San Francisco is Michael Baldonado. He explained that the California Bay area has the largest population of Afghan people outside of Afghanistan itself.
He said:
“We hope this settlement makes more people in the Afghan community aware of their rights and how the EEOC can protect them as we continue our outreach to under-served communities.”
The bureau also reported that, as part of the settlement, Fremont Toyota must educate its employees and managers on discrimination.
The current manager of Fremont Toyota and his lawyers have declined to comment on the matter. However, one wonders why the EEOC went after the dealership alone, a dealership of vehicles and vehicle loans, and not the unnamed previous general manager. He is, after all, the one accused of making the offensive comments in the first place.
Sources
CBS Atlanta
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Union City Patch
