Wind turbine blade manufacturer sued by EEOC for creating a ‘racially hostile work environment’

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has sued LM Wind Power Blades, Inc for race harassment and retaliation. In the lawsuit, the EEOC claims that an African American worker was subjected to racial hostility form coworkers and managers in the form of racial slurs and threats. Management did not take any action when the employee complained, instead allowing the harassment to continue until eventually firing the employee in retaliation. The EEOC alleges that LM Wind Power Blades violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

In a recent statement, Greg Gochanour, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Chicago District Office, said, “No person should have to endure hateful racial slurs and threats of violence as the price of coming to work. Federal discrimination laws make it clear that workplace harassment is illegal, and employers are responsible for stopping it. It is imperative that complaints of harassment be taken seriously and addressed without delay.”