J.A. Croson, a Florida-based plumbing and HVAC contractor, has agreed to pay $1.6 million to settle a racial harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The lawsuit claimed that Black and Hispanic employees faced a hostile work environment marked by racial slurs, derogatory language, and unfair assignments, with some workers retaliated against after reporting the abuse. The settlement includes compensation for 17 employees, along with measures like a harassment hotline, employee training, and work environment audits to prevent future discrimination.

This case highlights ongoing issues of racial and national origin harassment in the construction industry, which the EEOC is committed to addressing. The settlement reinforces the importance of fair and inclusive treatment of all employees, as emphasized in the EEOC’s broader mission to eliminate workplace discrimination. For more information, visit the EEOC’s website. Click here for more information.