Dollar General Sued By EEOC for Racial Discrimination

A workplace descrimination lawsuit was filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC) against Dollar General Corp. alleging that it violated federal law by denying a black lead sales associate a promotion to a vacant assistant store manager position because of her race.

The EEOC’s lawsuit also claimed that the store retaliated against plaintiff Demetrice Hersey for filing a charge of discrimination by issuing performance actions against her.

Hersey had three years of work experience at Dollar General and was a lead sales associate when the position of an assistant manager became available on three separate occasions from 2009 to 2010. However, when Hersey put in a request for promotion, it was always rejected while less-qualified whites were hired instead, according to the complaint.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, including back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, and injunctive relief.

According to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers are prohibited from using race as a factor in making employment decisions and from retaliating against employees who invoke the protections afforded by Title VII.

Dollar General is the largest “small-box” discount retailer in the country with over 10,000 retail stores.

If you or someone you know has been harmed by discrimination at workplace, contact Sokolove Law for free legal consultation and to find out if a lawyer may be able to help you.

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