Medical Center Faced with Discrimination Suit

Employment and Labor Law(Federal News) August 24, 2010

Delano - The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a national discrimination case against the Delano Regional Medical Center for alleged unjust employment practices against its Filipino staff.

According to reports, the suit was filed in the US District Court, Eastern District of California. It alleged that the hospital banned Filipino staff from speaking in their native language or other national languages, though other non-Filipino workers are allowed to use their own languages.

The agency also claimed that Filipino workers were subjected to a hostile work environment. They are singled out for reprimands during company meetings and threatened with audio surveillance.

In addition, other workers in the hospital were encouraged to report on Filipino workers. This directive caused Filipino staff to receive threats and taunts from supervisors and other non-Filipino employees.

The case is seeking for punitive and compensatory damages as well as an injunction against future discrimination.