Tampa Plumbing Contractor Settles Racial Harassment and Retaliation Case for $1.6 Million
A racial harassment and retaliation settlement in Tampa last year has caught the attention of many Tampa workers, leading some to wonder what their own rights are under Florida and federal laws. In August 2024, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a major settlement in a racial harassment and retaliation case involving J.A. Croson, a Florida-based plumbing and HVAC contractor. According to the EEOC’s newsroom release, the contractor agreed to pay $1.6 million to resolve claims brought on behalf of 17 former Black and Hispanic employees. The lawsuit alleged that these workers were subjected to a racially hostile work environment that included open use of racial slurs, derogatory language, the display of the Confederate flag, and unfair work assignments based on race and national origin. The EEOC also claimed that two Black employees were fired in retaliation after they complained about the discrimination they faced.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, charged the company with violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Under the three-year consent decree resolving the case, J.A. Croson will not only compensate the affected employees but also implement new workplace protections. These include establishing an employee relations hotline, assigning an investigator to handle harassment and retaliation complaints, providing employee training, and conducting regular audits to ensure work assignments are not influenced by race or national origin. This settlement highlights the continued problem of racial harassment in the construction industry and serves as a reminder to Tampa employees that they have legal protections when facing discrimination at work.
Holding Tampa Employers Accountable for Workplace Racial Harassment and Retaliation
Workplace harassment, whether based on race, national origin, sex, or another protected category, is unlawful under federal and Florida employment laws. Workers in Tampa have the right to work in an environment free from racial slurs, intimidation, retaliation, or discriminatory treatment. Importantly, racial harassment in the workplace does not need to be physical to violate the law; verbal abuse, discriminatory jokes, humiliating assignments, and hostile treatment can all create a hostile work environment under Florida and federal laws.
When a Tampa worker complains about harassment, the employer must take immediate and effective action to investigate and correct the problem. Retaliation, such as termination, demotion, or assigning worse work duties, is also strictly prohibited.
Workers in Tampa who experience racial harassment should document the incidents of harassment, save texts or emails, report the behavior to HR or management, and speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Even if a Tampa employer promises to resolve the problem, Tampa workers are protected from retaliation and have the legal right to involve an experienced Tampa racial harassment lawyer at any point in the process.
Where Tampa Workers Can Find Help Now
There is no question that Tampa workers facing harassment or retaliation often feel intimidated or unsure about what to do next. An experienced Tampa racial discrimination lawyer can explain your rights, gather evidence, help you file a complaint, and take legal action if your employer fails to protect you. Whether the racial harassment involves racial slurs, unfair treatment, discriminatory assignments, or retaliation for speaking up, it is important to know that you do not have to face the situation alone.
If you are the victim of racial harassment in Tampa, do not hesitate to speak with an experienced Tampa racial harassment lawyer about your case today. Contact the experienced Tampa racial harassment lawyers at the law firm Florin Gray and speak with a lawyer about your next steps now.
Source:
eeoc.gov/newsroom/ja-croson-pays-16-million-settle-eeoc-racial-harassment-and-retaliation-lawsuit
