PRESS RELEASE
9-29-09

Female Employee Fired for Complaining About Sexual Harassment, Federal Agency Charges

INDIANAPOLIS - B&B Drive-In, doing business as Sonic of Kokomo, a fast food restaurant in Kokomo, Ind., violated federal law by subjecting one of its cooks to sexual harassment and then firing her for complaining about the harassment, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit it filed today.

According to the EEOC's suit, the employee was subjected to ongoing sexual harassment by a supervisor. She was discharged within days of complaining about the harassment.

Sexual harassment and retaliation for complaining about it violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed suit (Civil Action No. 1:09-cv-1215-DFH-TAB, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division) after first attempting to reach a voluntary settlement.

The EEOC is seeking compensatory and punitive damages against the company, as well as other relief, including a permanent injunction to prevent the company from engaging in any employment practice that discriminates on the bases of sex or retaliation.

"Employees should not have to tolerate unwanted sexual conduct as a condition of employment," said Danny R. Harter, director of the Indianapolis District Office. "No one should have to fear any form of reprisal for asserting her right to be free from workplace harassment. The EEOC will vigorously prosecute these cases."

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.