Paving company settles EEOC suit

Coeur d’Alene Paving Inc. will pay $60,000 and train managers about laws prohibiting workplace discrimination to settle a racial harassment lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Three African-American employees – Shawn Fletcher, Richard Fletcher and Marcus Smith – were subjected to ongoing racial slurs and jokes by a foreman during the 2005 construction season, according to the EEOC suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Idaho. The Fletchers complained to company owners but the actions continued, the EEOC said in a news release.

Company officials did not return a call seeking comment.

Molly P. Küçük, a trial attorney with the EEOC, said the foreman admitted under oath to using two racial epithets around the men, but the company did not admit fault. However, she said, “steps have been taken with the company to ensure that does not happen again.”

As part of the settlement, the company agreed to review its policies on harassment, discrimination and retaliation, train managers and supervisors about laws that prohibit workplace discrimination, and provide information to the EEOC concerning its handling of related complaints for the next four years.