EEOC: No Determination Issued in Police Department Discrimination Case
Attorney Courtney Mayo achieved dismissal in an action brought against a Massachusetts Police Department by a municipal employee. The claimant alleged that she had been discriminated against based on race and ethnicity, subjecting the claimant to a harassing and hostile work environment.
According to the Charge, the complainant alleged that the Chief of Police disparaged her and her family, making discriminatory remarks towards her and about her children.
Attorney Mayo moved for dismissal due to the complainant’s failure to make a prima facie discrimination claim based on national origin resulting in a hostile or harassing work environment. The complainant only alleged one remark by the Chief of Police, which remark, even if made, fell outside the statute of limitations to advance a G.L.c. 151B claim. The claim also failed to allege an adverse employment action and/or a hostile work environment.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a notice of no determination, concluding that further investigation would not establish a violation of the statute.