WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the University of North Carolina, alleging sex discrimination in employment by its component, the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (North Carolina A&T), against a current and former employee.
The government’s complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, alleges that the University discriminated against Tasha Murray and Mattie Smith while they were employees of the Department of Police and Public Safety at North Carolina A&T by subjecting them to sexual harassment that created a hostile work environment, and by failing to take appropriate action to remedy the discrimination. The complaint was filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“Sexual harassment in the workplace should not be tolerated, and employers should take prompt and effective action to stop it,” said Wan J. Kim, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. “The Department of Justice will vigorously pursue such violations of Title VII.”
The continued enforcement of Title VII has been a priority of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department is available on its Web site at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ .
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DOJ press release
