CHICAGO, IL (Chambana Today) — Planned Parenthood of Illinois will pay $500,000 following a federal investigation into workplace discrimination, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The EEOC found the organization violated federal law by engaging in race-based workplace practices, including segregating employees by race and subjecting some workers to harassment. The findings stem from a class investigation involving multiple employee complaints.
According to the agency, the organization required employees to participate in race-based “affinity caucuses” and diversity, equity and inclusion training sessions that allegedly included discriminatory or derogatory statements. The EEOC also found that some employees were treated differently based on race in workplace policies, including access to time off.
“Segregating employees by race violates the core promise of our nation’s civil rights laws,” said EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas in a statement.
In response, Planned Parenthood of Illinois said the issue stemmed from prior leadership and that the organization has already made changes.
“The Trump Administration’s EEOC has informed Planned Parenthood of Illinois that our organization was the subject of a complaint regarding workplace trainings and practices under prior leadership of the organization,” the organization said in a statement. “The EEOC has issued their findings, and we have come to an agreement about a path forward that will allow us to continue providing critical health care services to our valued patients from Illinois and across the country. Planned Parenthood of Illinois has zero tolerance for bigotry, discrimination or harassment of any kind.”
The agency said the conduct violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race.
The case was resolved through the EEOC’s administrative conciliation process. As part of the agreement, officials said the organization has taken corrective action, including removing a manager involved in the conduct.
The EEOC said it will continue enforcing federal workplace discrimination laws, including cases involving diversity and inclusion programs if they result in unequal treatment.