Cottage Grove’s Culver’s franchise is facing a lawsuit from federal regulators seeking financial compensation for employees who allegedly endured years of discriminatory practices.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) claims that R&G Endeavors Inc., the operator of the Cottage Grove location, subjected its employees to racial, homophobic, ableist, and sexist discrimination. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of multiple employees, accuses the company of fostering a hostile work environment.
The filing outlines various incidents of discrimination, including managers and coworkers targeting a gay African American employee with racial and homophobic slurs, as well as intrusive discussions about his personal life. It also alleges that a long-serving employee with a disability was denied equal pay and raises due to his disability, while female employees, some as young as 14, were subjected to sexual harassment, which involved unwelcome touching, inappropriate jokes, and advances.
The EEOC seeks permanent injunctions to halt discriminatory behavior at the restaurant and implement policies that ensure equal employment opportunities, regardless of race or sex. The Culver’s discrimination lawsuit alleges that despite employees reporting these conditions to management, the company failed to address the harassment adequately, resulting in one employee leaving the job due to intolerable working conditions.
If you have experienced employer violations and wish to file a lawsuit, contact Labor Law Advocates today. Ensure your rights are protected and justice is served. We offer free and confidential consultation.