Filed Date: Jan. 22, 2004
Closed Date: Oct. 28, 2007
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On January 22, 2004 a group of Fairfield Resorts employees filed this class action lawsuit against Cendant Corporation, Fairfield Resorts, and 15 individuals working at Fairfield Resorts in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville Division. On February 18, 2005 the complaint against Cendant Corporation, the parent corporation to Fairfield Resorts, was dropped. The plaintiffs sued Fairfield Resorts and individual employees under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. 2000, and 42 U.S.C. 1981. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, asked the court for injunctive and equitable relief, as well as compensatory and punitive damages.
The plaintiffs were filing suit over alleged sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and retaliation they experienced on the job. On July 8, 2005 the plaintiffs and defendants brought a joint motion for preliminary approval of a proposed consent decree. The consent decree included monetary relief for all female employees who filed complaints with human resources, and between $75,000 and $250,000 for the named parties in the settlement. It required a commitment from the defendant to ensure equal employment opportunities for female employees and applicants.
On October 28, 2005, Judge William J. Haynes approved the consent decree. The consent decree ordered the defendant to pay a total of $550,000 to the five complainants. It further ordered the defendant to commit to equal employment opportunities for female employees; revise its policy and trainings on sexual harassment, including a Zero-Tolerance Policy; modify its complaint system to ensure complaining parties receive information about corrective actions taken; and impose substantial discipline procedures for sexual harassment and gender discrimination. The decree left open the opportunity for the plaintiff to move for attorney fees.
On January 25, 2006, Judge Haynes granted the plaintiff's unopposed motions for attorney's fees in the total of $1,439,235.00.
After the initial joint motion for approval of the consent decree, one plaintiff severed his case. He submitted a separate complaint against the same parties under Title VII and 42 U.S.C. 2000. The plaintiff asked the court for compensatory and punitive damages. He alleged that he was retaliated against after opposing the sexual harassment and gender discrimination he witnessed at Fairfield Resorts.
The docket indicates no findings on the second plaintiff’s complaints.
Summary Authors
Gabriela Hybel (11/21/2016)
Haynes, William Joseph Jr. (Tennessee)
Goldblatt, Lisa A. (District of Columbia)
Gonzalez, Jerry (Tennessee)
Morris, Grant E. (District of Columbia)
Sanford, David W. (District of Columbia)
Crenshaw, Waverly David Jr. (Tennessee)
Fisher, Jason D. (Tennessee)
Weirich, C. Geoffrey (Georgia)
Haynes, William Joseph Jr. (Tennessee)
Goldblatt, Lisa A. (District of Columbia)
Gonzalez, Jerry (Tennessee)
Morris, Grant E. (District of Columbia)
Sanford, David W. (District of Columbia)
Crenshaw, Waverly David Jr. (Tennessee)
Fisher, Jason D. (Tennessee)
Weirich, C. Geoffrey (Georgia)
Last updated May 12, 2022, 8 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Tennessee
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Jan. 22, 2004
Closing Date: Oct. 28, 2007
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
All females who worked at Fairfield Nashville at any time between May 8, 2002 and 10/28/2005.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
Cendant Corporation, Private Entity/Person
Fairfield Resorts Inc., Private Entity/Person
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e
Availably 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
Amount Defendant Pays: 1,989,235
Order Duration: 2005 - 2007
Content of Injunction:
Develop anti-discrimination policy
Follow recruitment, hiring, or promotion protocols
Implement complaint/dispute resolution process
Other requirements regarding hiring, promotion, retention
Post/Distribute Notice of Rights / EE Law
Provide antidiscrimination training
Issues
General:
Discrimination-area:
Harassment / Hostile Work Environment
Discrimination-basis:
Affected Gender: