Carolina Metal Finishing, LLC, a Bishopville, S.C. based metal finishing company, paid $40,000 and furnish significant remedial relief to settle a race harassment lawsuit filed by the EEOC.

Tieron L. Parks worked as a powder coater at the Bishopville plant.  According to the EEOC's complaint, from around October 2011 until around May 21, 2012, Parks was repeatedly subjected to racial slurs by two white employees.  The comments included repeated use of the "N-word."  The EEOC alleged Parks complained to company management, but the harassment continued.  Within hours of his final complaint on or around May 21, 2012, Parks was fired, the EEOC said, in retaliation for his complaints of racial harassment.

Race discrimination, including racial harassment, violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  Title VII also protects employees and applicants from retaliation for making complaints about discrimination. 

In addition to paying $40,000 in monetary relief, the company must abide by the terms of a two-year consent decree resolving the case.  The consent decree enjoins Carolina Metal from engaging in future racial discrimination.  The decree also requires the company to conduct anti-discrimination training at its Bishopville facility; post a notice about the settlement at that facility; implement a formal anti-discriminatory policy prohibiting racial discrimination; and report certain complaints of conduct that could constitute discrimination under Title VII to the EEOC for monitoring.