DENVER — The EEOC filed the lawsuit in September 2024 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado under case number 1-24-cv-02703. The lawsuit alleges that Mile Hi Companies unlawfully denied employment opportunities to black, female, and Afghan job applicants since 2015.

The EEOC charged that the CEO directed the company to limit the percentages of black applicants hired, not to hire women for warehouse jobs, and to stop hiring Afghan applicants for bakery jobs. The agency also alleged that Mile Hi Companies retaliated against a human resources manager who opposed the discriminatory directives by harassing and firing her.

The alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Mary Jo O'Neill, regional attorney for the EEOC's Phoenix District, said federal law prohibits retaliation against workers who refuse to participate in unlawful discrimination and that no employer may refuse to hire qualified individuals because of their sex, race or national origin, regardless of any preference its owners or managers may hold.

Sherrie Hayashi, EEOC Denver Field Office Director, said hiring must be based on a worker's merits and qualifications and that the EEOC is committed to enforcing Title VII to provide equal employment opportunities for all job applicants. The consent decree requires Mile Hi Companies to evaluate and revise existing policies and practices, train employees and management on anti-discrimination laws, maintain applicant records, and periodically report to the EEOC on compliance efforts for three years.

Why It Matters

The EEOC is the sole federal agency authorized to investigate and litigate against private sector employers for violations of federal employment discrimination laws. This case illustrates the agency's role in enforcing statutes that protect workers from bias based on protected characteristics.

The EEOC's Phoenix District Office has jurisdiction over Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and part of New Mexico. The EEOC's Phoenix District Office handled the pre-litigation conciliation process before filing the lawsuit against Mile Hi Companies.

Timeline

Mile Hi Companies will pay $1.5 million to settle the employment discrimination lawsuit. Sherrie Hayashi stated that the EEOC is committed to enforcing Title VII to provide equal employment opportunities for all job applicants. Mary Jo O'Neill said that federal law prohibits retaliation against workers who refuse to participate in unlawful discrimination and that no employer may refuse to hire qualified individuals because of their sex, race or national origin, regardless of any preference its owners or managers may hold. Hayashi said that hiring must be based on a worker's merits and qualifications. The consent decree requires Mile Hi Companies to periodically report to the EEOC on compliance efforts.

What's New

The official record states that Mile Hi Companies will pay $1.5 million and provide other relief to settle an employment discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in September 2024. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) Phoenix District Office has jurisdiction over Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and part of New Mexico.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits retaliation against employees who oppose unlawful discrimination, as showed in the EEOC's enforcement actions.

How Sources Differ

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission press release states that Mile Hi Companies will pay $1.5 million to settle an employment discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission press release states that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the lawsuit in September 2024.

Regarding the opportunity commission, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission press release states that Mile Hi Companies will pay $1.5 million to settle an employment discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.