Case: EEOC v. BERNINA OF AMERICA

1:99-cv-04100 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Filed Date: June 21, 1999

Closed Date: Oct. 5, 2000

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

The EEOC filed this suit on June 21, 1999 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The EEOC alleged that defendant Bernina of America violated Title VII by discriminating against female employees by refusing to grant sick leave pay to pregnant employees. On May 3, 2000 the EEOC filed a motion for partial summary judgment to eliminate defendant's claim that the EEOC failed to conciliate as required by statute. The motion was granted on June 13, 2000. On July 12, 2000 the…

The EEOC filed this suit on June 21, 1999 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The EEOC alleged that defendant Bernina of America violated Title VII by discriminating against female employees by refusing to grant sick leave pay to pregnant employees.

On May 3, 2000 the EEOC filed a motion for partial summary judgment to eliminate defendant's claim that the EEOC failed to conciliate as required by statute. The motion was granted on June 13, 2000. On July 12, 2000 the parties settled the case. A proposed consent decree was filed on September 6, 2000. The consent decree was entered into the record on October 5, 2000. In the consent decree the defendant agreed to pay a total of $105,000 in varying amounts to four complainants. The defendant also agreed to post notice, develop a new policy regarding pregnancy sick leave pay, and maintain detailed records of requests for sick leave pay. The EEOC agreed, in case of a dispute about compliance with the decree, notify the defendant and provide a chance to remedy the problem. If the problem was not remedied by the end of the decree, the decree would remain in force until compliance has been achieved.

Summary Authors

Jason Chester (3/28/2008)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/11034812/parties/eeoc-v-bernina-of-amer/


Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1:99-cv-04100

Docket (PACER)

EEOC v. Bernina of Amer

Oct. 5, 2000

Oct. 5, 2000

Docket
29

1:99-cv-04100

Memorandum Opinion and Order

EEOC v. Bernina of America

June 13, 2000

June 13, 2000

Order/Opinion
37

1:99-cv-04100

Consent Decree

EEOC v. Bernina of America

Oct. 5, 2000

Oct. 5, 2000

Settlement Agreement

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/11034812/eeoc-v-bernina-of-amer/

Last updated Sept. 17, 2026, 6:14 p.m.

Docket for: EEOC v. Bernina of Amer
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 June 21, 1999

COMPLAINT; jury demand - Civil cover sheet - Appearance(s) of John C. Hendrickson, Ines M. Monte, Jose Jorge Behar, John A. Knight as attorney(s) for plaintiff ( No summons(es) issued.) ( Documents: 1-1 through 1-3) (mbw) (Entered: 06/22/1999)

PACER
2 July 13, 1999

WAIVER of service of summons as to defendant sent on 6/21/99 (mbw) (Entered: 07/14/1999)

PACER
5 Aug. 19, 1999

MINUTE ORDER of 8/19/99 by Hon. David H. Coar : Rule 16(b) scheduling conference set for 10:00 a.m. on 9/24/99 in chambers. The court hereby opts into Rule 16(a)(1) for purposes of this case. Proposed discovery plan pursuant to Rule 26(f) and proposed scheduling order pursuant to Rule 16(b) to be filed in chambers. (See reverse of minute order. See attached forms for report of planning conference and proposed scheduling order.) Mailed notice (mbw) Modified on 08/25/1999 (Entered: 08/24/1999)

PACER
3 Aug. 20, 1999

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendant by William George Miossi and John E. Bucheit. (mbw) (Entered: 08/23/1999)

PACER
4 Aug. 20, 1999

ANSWER by defendant to complaint and additional defenses [1-1]. (mbw) (Entered: 08/23/1999)

PACER
6 Sept. 23, 1999

REPORT of parties planning conference. (mbw) (Entered: 09/29/1999)

PACER
Sept. 24, 1999

SCHEDULE set on 9/24/99 by Hon. David H. Coar : Rule 16(b) scheduling conference held. All disclosures required by Rule 26(a)(1) shall be made on or before 10/1/99. Any amendments to pleadings or actions to join other parties shall be filed on or before 12/31/99. Discovery ordered closed on 4/3/2000. The parties shall disclose expert testimony pursuant to Rule 26(a)(2) on or before 4/17/2000. The parties may depose the other side's expert at any time prior to 5/22/2000. The parties shall disclose any rebuttal expert pursuant to Rule 26(a)(2)(c) at any time prior to 6/5/2000. The parties shall have until 7/3/2000 to depose the opposing party's rebuttal expert. The parties are granted leave to take up to 15 despsitions without leave of court. Motion dispositive is due 5/3/2000 Pretrial order to be submitted on 8/31/2000. Pretrial conference set to 2:00 9/8/2000. Trial set to 10:00 9/25/2000 . Mailed notice (pm) Modified on 09/28/1999 (Entered: 09/28/1999)

PACER
7 Nov. 24, 1999

AGREED MOTION by plaintiff for entry of agreed protective order and stipulation ; Notice. (mbw) Modified on 12/07/1999 (Entered: 12/03/1999)

PACER
Nov. 29, 1999

SCHEDULE set on 11/29/99 by Hon. David H. Coar : Noticed motion scheduled for 9:15 12/2/99 No notice (pm) (Entered: 11/29/1999)

PACER
8 Dec. 2, 1999

MINUTE ORDER of 12/2/99 by Hon. David H. Coar : Agreed motion for entry of Agreed Protective Order and Stipulation is granted. [7-1] Enter Agreed Protective Order and Stipulation regarding certain documents or other materials that may be produced in connection with this lawsuit involving financial, medical, personnel, psychological or proprietary information that is confidential and private and labeled as "Confidential" (Entered Agreed Protective Order and Stipulation) No notice (mbw) (Entered: 12/03/1999)

PACER
10 Dec. 7, 1999

MOTION by defendant for leave to amend answer to add additional defense ; Notice. (mbw) (Entered: 12/27/1999)

PACER
Dec. 15, 1999

SCHEDULE set on 12/15/99 by Hon. David H. Coar : Noticed motion scheduled for 9:15 12/20/99 No notice (pm) (Entered: 12/15/1999)

PACER
Dec. 15, 1999

SCHEDULE set on 12/15/99 by Hon. David H. Coar : Noticed motion scheduled for 9:15 12/21/99 No notice (pm) (Entered: 12/15/1999)

PACER
9 Dec. 21, 1999

AMENDED ANSWER and additional defenses by defendant to complaint [1-1]. (mbw) (Entered: 12/22/1999)

PACER
11 Dec. 21, 1999

MINUTE ORDER of 12/21/99 by Hon. David H. Coar : Defendant's motion for leave to amend answer to add additional defense is granted. [10-1] No notice (mbw) (Entered: 12/27/1999)

PACER
13 April 17, 2000

MINUTE ORDER of 4/17/00 by Hon. David H. Coar : Defendant's motion requesting settlement conference and to extend deadlines is granted [12-1] in part and enied in part. The Court will refer this matter to the Magistrate Judge for settlement. Motion to extend deadlines is denied [12-2]. Mailed notice (fce) (Entered: 04/19/2000)

PACER
14 April 28, 2000

REFERRAL ORDER of 4/28/00 The case is referred to the Hon. Arlander Keys from Hon. David H. Coar for settlement conference. (For further detail see order.) Mailed notice (fce) (Entered: 05/03/2000)

PACER
15 May 3, 2000

MOTION by plaintiff for partial summary judgment ; Memorandum in support (Attachments) ; Notice (fce) (Entered: 05/12/2000)

PACER
16 May 3, 2000

STATEMENT of undisputed facts by plaintiff (fce) (Entered: 05/12/2000)

PACER
17 May 3, 2000

DECLARATION of Monique Debusmann (Attachments) (fce) (Entered: 05/12/2000)

PACER
18 May 11, 2000

MINUTE ORDER of 5/11/00 by Hon. David H. Coar : Answer brief to EEOC's motion for partial summary judgment [15-1] due 5/25/00. Reply to answer brief due 6/1/00. Ruling on EEOC's motion for partial summary judgment [15-1] set for 9:30 a.m. on 6/13/00. Mailed notice (fce) (Entered: 05/12/2000)

PACER
19 May 11, 2000

DECLARATION of Monique Debusmann (Attachments); Notice of filing. (fce) (Entered: 05/12/2000)

PACER
May 11, 2000

SCHEDULE set on 5/11/00 by Hon. Arlander Keys : Settlement conference set for 6/14/00 at 10:00 a.m. Unnamed Plaintiffs on whose behalf the EEOC filed the Complaint herein are to be present at the settlement conference. Defendant is directed to have someone in attendance (other than its attorneys) with full authority to settle the case. The parties will exchange settlement proposals with copies thereof sent to the Court by 6/12/00. Mailed notice (vkd) (Entered: 05/11/2000)

PACER
20 May 18, 2000

MOTION by plaintiff to reset date for settlement conference (Attachments); Notice of motion (eav) (Entered: 05/24/2000)

PACER
21 May 22, 2000

MINUTE ORDER of 5/22/00 by Hon. Arlander Keys : Plaintiff's motion to reset date for settlement conference is granted. [20-1] Settlement conference set for 6/14/00 at 10:00 a.m. is stricken. The parties will confer and notify the Court by close of business 5/24/00 as to some mutually agreed upon dates for the settlement conference. The plaintiffs who reside in Illinois will be required to attend the settlement conference in person. Mailed notice (eav) (Entered: 05/24/2000)

PACER
22 May 25, 2000

MEMORANDUM by Bernina of Amer in opposition to plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment [15-1] (jmp) (Entered: 05/26/2000)

PACER
23 May 25, 2000

RULE 56.1(b) RESPONSE by Bernina of Amer to plaintiff's statement of material facts not in dispute (jmp) (Entered: 05/26/2000)

PACER
25 May 25, 2000

DECLARATION of William Moissi (Attachments) (jmp) (Entered: 05/26/2000)

PACER
26 May 31, 2000

DECLARATION of William Miossi; Notice (fce) (Entered: 06/01/2000)

PACER
27 June 1, 2000

REPLY by plaintiff in support of EEOC's motion for partial summary judgment [15-1] ; Declarations of John A. Knight and Monique Debusmann (Attachments); Notice (fce) Modified on 06/05/2000 (Entered: 06/05/2000)

PACER
28 June 1, 2000

STATEMENT of facts in reply to defendant's statement of additional facts by plaintiff (fce) (Entered: 06/05/2000)

PACER
June 2, 2000

SCHEDULE set on 6/2/00 by Hon. Arlander Keys : Settlement conference set for 7/12/00 at 9:30 a.m. The parties will exchange settlement proposals with copies thereof sent to the Court by 7/10/00. Mailed notice (vkd) Modified on 06/05/2000 (Entered: 06/02/2000)

PACER
29 June 13, 2000

MINUTE ORDER of 6/13/00 by Hon. David H. Coar : For the reasons stated in the attached memorandum opinion and order, the EEOC's motion for partial summary judgment is granted [15-1]. Entered Memorandum Opinion and Order. No notice (fce) (Entered: 06/13/2000)

PACER
30 June 15, 2000

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for plaintiff by Ethan M.M. Cohen; Notice (fce) (Entered: 06/19/2000)

PACER
31 June 15, 2000

MOTION by plaintiff for leave to file supplemental complaint instanter and to reopen discovery ; Notice (fce) (Entered: 06/22/2000)

PACER
32 June 21, 2000

MINUTE ORDER of 6/21/00 by Hon. David H. Coar : EEOC's motion for leave to file supplemental complaint instanter [31-1] and to reopen discovery is denied [31-2]. Mailed notice (fce) (Entered: 06/22/2000)

PACER
33 July 12, 2000

MINUTE ORDER of 7/12/00 by Hon. Arlander Keys : Settlement conference held. The parties agreed to the terms of a settlement, which will include the entry of a consent judgment and which will take some time to draft and execute. Plaintiffs estimate that it could take up to approximately 60 days to effectuate and present to the district court. The Court commends all parties for their willingness to compromise in order to settle this case. All matters relating to the referral of this action having been resolved, the case is returned to the assigned judge. Terminating the case referral to Hon. Arlander Keys. Mailed notice (fce) (Entered: 07/13/2000)

PACER
July 12, 2000

SCHEDULE set on 7/12/00 by Hon. David H. Coar : The parties having settled this case before Judge Keys, a Status hearing is set for 9:30 7/27/00 regading the completion of the settlement papers. Mailed notice (pm) (Entered: 07/12/2000)

PACER
July 27, 2000

SCHEDULE set on 7/27/00 by Hon. David H. Coar : Status hearing held and continued to 9:30 8/22/00. Mailed notice (pm) (Entered: 07/27/2000)

PACER
Aug. 22, 2000

SCHEDULE set on 8/22/00 by Hon. David H. Coar : Status hearing held and continued to 9:30 8/31/00 . Mailed notice (pm) (Entered: 08/24/2000)

PACER
Aug. 31, 2000

SCHEDULE set on 8/31/00 by Hon. David H. Coar : No notice (pm) (Entered: 08/31/2000)

PACER
35 Sept. 6, 2000

MINUTE ORDER of 9/6/00 by Hon. Arlander Keys : Settlement conference held. The problems regarding the consent decree were resolved. The parties will be able to submit a consent decree to the district court within a week to ten days. Mailed notice (fce) (Entered: 09/08/2000)

PACER
36 Sept. 29, 2000

MOTION by plaintiff for entry of consent decree ; Notice (fce) (Entered: 10/06/2000)

PACER
37 Oct. 5, 2000

MINUTE ORDER of 10/5/00 by Hon. David H. Coar : This case is reinstated. Plaintiff's motion for entry of consent decree is granted [36-1]. Bernia will implement a revised policy with respect to sick leave benefits. Bernia will pay $105,000 as monetary relief representing damages to four present or former employees. Bernia will not discriminate on the basis of sex (pregnancy in the futre). This action is closed. Copies of the consent dree given to the parties in court. (Attachments) (Entered Consent Decree, Notice to all Bernina Employees.) Mailed notice (fce) (Entered: 10/06/2000)

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory:

Illinois

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

IWPR/Wage Project Consent Decree Study

Key Dates

Filing Date: June 21, 1999

Closing Date: Oct. 5, 2000

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on behalf of one or more workers.

Plaintiff Type(s):

EEOC Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

EEOC

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Private Entity/Person

Bernina of America

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e

Other Dockets:

Northern District of Illinois 1:99-cv-04100

Available Documents:

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Monetary Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Damages

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Develop anti-discrimination policy

Discrimination Prohibition

Monitoring

Post/Distribute Notice of Rights / EE Law

Provide antidiscrimination training

Recordkeeping

Reporting

Retaliation Prohibition

Amount Defendant Pays: 105000

Order Duration: 2000 - 2003

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Conditions of Employment (including assignment, transfer, hours, working conditions, etc.)

Disparate Treatment

Pay / Benefits

Discrimination Basis:

Pregnancy discrimination

Sex discrimination

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Female

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits

Recommended Citation