University of Louisiana at Lafayette continued its streak of discrimination-related news stories recently, just one week after it terminated its softball coach over allegations of creating a “hostile learning and working environment.” Now, four female faculty members of the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration have filed complaints with the school though the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EOCC).
According to the complaints, the four women experienced gender-based discrimination from other faculty members. An attorney representing the female faculty members in the matter issued an offer of mediation to the university, but it eventually expired during the summer months. Once the offer expired, the faculty members filed their complaint with the EOCC.
It is also worth noting that one of the individuals named in the complaint also filed his own independent complaint with the university, claiming that he had lost out on promotions and salary increases he claims were awarded to several less-qualified female faculty members. The issue may still take some time to resolve, since complaints to EOCC often take nearly a year to resolve.
Many individuals do not realize that they may have grounds to file a complaint or even take legal action in instances of workplace discrimination. It is often useful to examine all of one’s options before deciding how to proceed.
If you believe that you experience discrimination at your workplace, regardless of your profession, you deserve fair treatment. An attorney can help you assess your experiences through the lens of the law and determine if you have grounds for legal action while you fight for your rights and fair treatment.
Source: Daily Advertiser, “UL Lafayette professors allege harassment, gender discrimination,” Leigh Guidry, Nov. 10, 2017