Filed Date: March 3, 2003
Closed Date: 2003
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On March 3, 2003, the United States filed a lawsuit under Title VII against the Regents of the University of California in the Eastern District of California, Sacramento division. The United States Department of Justice alleged that the Regents retaliated against two female employees for reporting sexual harassment by a male co-worker. Specifically, the United States contended that the Regents released two female employees from their employment as Telecommunications Operators because they opposed practices they reasonably thought to be unlawful. The United States sought remedial and injunctive relief.
The EEOC investigated the complainant's charge and found reasonable cause to believe that female employees were retaliated against for engaging in protected activity in violation of Title VII. It then unsuccessfully attempted to achieve a voluntary resolution of these matters through conciliation and subsequently referred the charge to the Department of Justice.
On March 13, 2003, the plaintiffs and the defendant agreed to enter into a consent decree ordered by the Eastern District of California (Judge Edward J. Garcia). The Regents agreed to offer compensatory damages and back pay to one of the female employees. She did not wish to return to her job. The other female employee was offered reinstatement and remedial seniority. In order to accept the relief, the two employees had to sign an executed release. The Regents agreed not to retaliate against or in any way adversely affect any person because that person opposed allegedly discriminatory practices by filing a complaint. The Regents further agreed to provide mandatory sexual harassment training to all management level and supervisory employees. Finally, the Regents agreed to retain all records relating to: complaints or charges of retaliation, employees that resign or are terminated from employment, reasons pertaining to employee resignations or terminations, and all complaints of retaliation for the duration of the decree. The U.S. will have the right to inspect all such documents.
Summary Authors
Dana Schwarz (11/6/2007)
Ashcroft, John (District of Columbia)
Boyd, Ralph F. Jr. (District of Columbia)
Clark, Carolyn (District of Columbia)
Fenton, William B. (District of Columbia)
Canby, Rhonda Cate (California)
Last updated March 25, 2025, 8:45 a.m.
State / Territory: California
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
IWPR/Wage Project Consent Decree Study
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 3, 2003
Closing Date: 2003
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
U.S. on behalf of female University of California employees
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Attorney Organizations:
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Regents of the University of California, None
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Content of Injunction:
Utilize objective hiring/promotion criteria
Provide antidiscrimination training
Amount Defendant Pays: 90,000
Order Duration: 2003 - 2006
Issues
General/Misc.:
Discrimination Area:
Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff
Harassment / Hostile Work Environment
Discrimination Basis:
Affected Sex/Gender(s):