"Why would you want to do a man's job?" That's one of the sexist questions the EEOC alleges Waste Industries—a solid waste removal, recycling, and landfill service provider—repeatedly asked female job applicants.As a result, the company agreed to pay $3.1 million to settle the agency’s pattern-or-practice sex discrimination claim.
According to the EEOC's lawsuit, since at least 2016, Waste Industries denied qualified female applicants truck driver positions across multiple locations. The lawsuit claims the company made derogatory comments about applicants' appearance based on sex stereotypes and asked sexist questions about their ability to perform the job. Waste Industries allegedly denied these women positions, hiring less qualified men instead.
In addition to the $3.1 million settlement distributed to women unlawfully denied these roles, Waste Industries agreed to develop hiring, recruitment, and outreach plans to increase the pool of qualified female driver applicants. The company will also train employees on sex discrimination, maintain anti-discrimination policies, and allow the EEOC to monitor complaints.
"Eliminating barriers in recruitment and hiring, including those that contribute to the underrepresentation of women in certain industries, is a strategic enforcement priority for the EEOC," said Chair Charlotte A. Burrows. "The EEOC will continue to use all its tools to ensure the doors of equal opportunity are open to all qualified workers."
Darrell E. Graham, EEOC district director, added, "This settlement sends a powerful message that systemic unlawful employment practices will be met with firm action to ensure accountability."
This settlement is a $3.1 million reminder that sexism in hiring doesn't just belong in the past—it can get real expensive in the present. If your interview questions include, "Can you handle a man's job?" expect the EEOC to answer with, "See you in court."
According to the EEOC's lawsuit, since at least 2016, Waste Industries denied qualified female applicants truck driver positions across multiple locations. The lawsuit claims the company made derogatory comments about applicants' appearance based on sex stereotypes and asked sexist questions about their ability to perform the job. Waste Industries allegedly denied these women positions, hiring less qualified men instead.
In addition to the $3.1 million settlement distributed to women unlawfully denied these roles, Waste Industries agreed to develop hiring, recruitment, and outreach plans to increase the pool of qualified female driver applicants. The company will also train employees on sex discrimination, maintain anti-discrimination policies, and allow the EEOC to monitor complaints.
"Eliminating barriers in recruitment and hiring, including those that contribute to the underrepresentation of women in certain industries, is a strategic enforcement priority for the EEOC," said Chair Charlotte A. Burrows. "The EEOC will continue to use all its tools to ensure the doors of equal opportunity are open to all qualified workers."
Darrell E. Graham, EEOC district director, added, "This settlement sends a powerful message that systemic unlawful employment practices will be met with firm action to ensure accountability."
This settlement is a $3.1 million reminder that sexism in hiring doesn't just belong in the past—it can get real expensive in the present. If your interview questions include, "Can you handle a man's job?" expect the EEOC to answer with, "See you in court."