Reggio’s Pizza Sued for Retaliation After Employee Reports Harassment

Background

Reggio’s Pizza, Inc., a Chicago-based company operating restaurants and selling ready-made pizzas, is facing legal action from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for alleged retaliation against an employee. The lawsuit claims that the company unlawfully terminated the employee after she reported workplace harassment at its O’Hare Airport location.

According to the suit, the employee, a transgender woman, reported that a manager had outed her to coworkers. This led to her being misgendered, and a customer made an offensive comment using both an LGBTQ+ slur and a racial slur. Despite reporting these incidents, management allegedly responded by taking away her badge, effectively terminating her employment by preventing her from returning to work.

This conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits retaliation against employees who report discrimination.

Settlement Efforts

Before filing the lawsuit, the EEOC attempted to resolve the matter through its administrative conciliation process. With no resolution achieved, the EEOC filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Case No. 1:24-cv-08910). The EEOC seeks financial compensation for the affected employee and injunctive relief to prevent future retaliation at Reggio’s Pizza.

Key Takeaways

• Workplace Retaliation is Illegal: Under Title VII, employees have the right to report workplace discrimination or harassment without fear of retaliation.
• Inclusive Workplace Culture: Misgendering and discriminatory conduct create a hostile environment, violating federal anti-discrimination laws.
• Accountability Matters: Employers must take employee complaints seriously, investigate them thoroughly, and implement corrective measures rather than retaliating.
• Proactive Measures: Businesses should establish clear anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation policies to foster an inclusive workplace.

Conclusion

The lawsuit against Reggio’s Pizza serves as a reminder to employers of their legal obligations to protect employees from harassment and retaliation. Upholding these principles not only ensures compliance with federal law but also fosters a workplace where all employees feel safe and respected.