LAFAYETTE, La.–Meritus Credit Union here has agreed to pay $110,000 to a former branch manager to settle a federal discrimination lawsuit, according to the U.S.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
The EEOC had filed suit charging what was then known as Lafayette Schools FCU with firing Connie Fields-Meaux because she opposed–and assisted— another employee in opposing its use of what the EEOC called a “racially offensive video” during a training session.
According to the EEOC, the video depicted a “black fast food worker, as an example of ‘how not to provide customer service’.”
Fields-Meaux, who is African-American, left the training session because she found the video offensive, and she later reported that another employee, who is also black, had told her that he found the video offensive, as well, the EEOC said.
“Within days, the credit union fired her without warning or explanation,” according to the government.
The EEOC said such alleged conduct violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which makes it unlawful for an employer to fire - or otherwise retaliate against - an employee because the employee implicitly or explicitly opposed conduct that he or she reasonably believed was unlawful. The EEOC filed its suit (Civil Action No. 18-6673) in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana earlier this year.
Terms of Decree
Under the three-year consent decree settling the suit, signed by U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk, the credit union will pay Fields-Meaux $110,000 in monetary relief and provide a variety of other, non-monetary relief. For instance, the credit union will provide regular training to its employees on retaliation, said the EEOC.
"I'm pleased that we were able to amicably resolve this action with fair and equitable relief," said Rudy Sustaita, regional attorney for the EEOC's Houston District Office. "It is of paramount importance that those who raise concerns about race-based discrimination receive the protections to which they are entitled under the law."
Following the settlement, Meritus Credit Union issued a statement saying, “We prefer the certainty of resolution over the cost of continued legal proceedings. The settlement is not an admission of liability, and we strongly maintain no violation occurred.”