Delano Regional Medical Center in San Joaquin Valley, Calif., will pay $975,000 to settle accusations of national origin discrimination.
The lawsuit, filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, alleges that approximately 70 Filipino-American employees endured harassment and discrimination, even from upper management officials at the hospital.
Specifically, the employees alleged they were targets of harassment, unfair scrutiny and discipline when speaking in a Filipino accent or language. In one instance, an employee sprayed air freshener on a Filipino-American's lunch due to the offender's self-professed hatred of Filipino food.
The complaints stem from a 2006 meeting, called by the CEO and management. Only Filipino-American staff attended the meeting, during which time they were instructed to comply with an English-only language policy or face consequences.
The lawsuit, filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, alleges that approximately 70 Filipino-American employees endured harassment and discrimination, even from upper management officials at the hospital.
Specifically, the employees alleged they were targets of harassment, unfair scrutiny and discipline when speaking in a Filipino accent or language. In one instance, an employee sprayed air freshener on a Filipino-American's lunch due to the offender's self-professed hatred of Filipino food.
The complaints stem from a 2006 meeting, called by the CEO and management. Only Filipino-American staff attended the meeting, during which time they were instructed to comply with an English-only language policy or face consequences.
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