Bahama Breeze Settles Racial Discrimination Lawsuit for $1.26 Million
Bahama Breeze which operates a national restaurant chain settled a racial discrimination lawsuit for $1,260,000. The case involved 37 black workers at the company’s Beachwood, Ohio location. The lawsuit was filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") on behalf of the workers after settlement attempts failed. According to the lawsuit, Bahama Breeze managers committed persistent acts of racial harassment numerous times against black employees. These acts included calling black staff with racial slurs such as “nigger” “Aunt Jemima,” “homeboy,” and “you people.”
As if that were not enough, it is alleged that the managers also imitated speech patterns of black employees, and denied them breaks while allowing breaks to white employees. The employees complained numerous times to management however the racial harassment and discrimination continued. Management did not seem to realize how serious the racial harassment was and now that the company must pay over one million dollars I am sure they realize how serious it is. Aside from the settlement amount in this case, I wonder how much money Bahama Breeze will lose as a result of lost revenue from people who don't wish to give this company their business.
“No worker should ever have to endure a racially hostile work environment in order to earn a paycheck,” said EEOC Acting Chairman Stuart J. Ishimaru. “It is particularly disturbing when managers engage in and condone the very unlawful conduct they are required to prevent and correct."
