Snug in Florida’s deep south, Davie, Florida is a town known for its Western roots, featuring a western-themed amusement park, and more citizens with horses than you can shake a stick at. Davie’s population of about 92,000 is supported by five fire stations, nos. 38, 65, 68, 91 and 104. The hundred year old town, once an out of the way western paradise, is now hitting the news as the subject of allegations of Title VII discrimination at its fire department.
A Host of Discrimination Complaints
The discrimination claims appear not to be an isolated incident: 18 Title VII claims in total are allegedly under investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC (the EEOC does not publicly discuss or confirm whether complaints are being investigated). Ten of the 18 charging parties are being represented by two attorneys. The most damning complaint comes from a female firefighter who claims she was unfairly subjected to full duty during the first trimester of her pregnancy. This charging party is alleging that eight (8) days after fighting a fire with her colleagues, she miscarried.
An Alleged Culture of Sexism and Bigotry
The charges center on complaints of sexism and bigotry. The most publicized involve the above case of miscarriage, as well as the story of Linda Stokoe. Stokoe was a fire inspector for the city, but was allegedly fired due to sex discrimination. The former inspector claims she was ordered to keep records of her bathroom visits, and that women were generally believed by her peers to be unfit for firefighting. Another charge alleges discrimination against a Jewish American, who claims derogatory terms and slurs were used against him.
How Does Title VII Apply?
Title VII, as amended, directly prohibits discrimination in the workplace on account of gender, race and religion, among other protected categories. The complaints described against the Davie, Florida Fire Department include racial and gender slurs, preferential treatment, and statements (direct, not implied statements) that women and some minorities are unfit to serve in the Fire Department. Since the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was instituted, nearly every generation of EEOC leadership interpreting the Act has prohibited such treatment.
Is This Your Story?
If you feel that your race, gender, religion, national origin, disability or age have played an unnecessary role at your job, or even in your attempts to find work, then you may have a claim of discrimination. For further information and a free consultation, call the law offices of Valli, Kane & Vagnini today.
South Florida Fire Department Under EEOC Investigation
Your Rights. Our Fight.
Contact Us Today To Schedule A Free Consultation
Valli Kane & Vagnini LLP - Press & News
Full 5th Circ. To Examine Employer-Friendly Title VII Rule
The family behind a massive Brooklyn Navy Yards film studio complex stands accused of stiffing local partners out of $50 million in profits, a new lawsuit contends.
Steiner Studios — where films such as Steven Spielberg's"West Side Story" and Lin-Manuel Miranda's "Tick Tick Boom!" were filmed — has been named in a civil suit filed by a group of local entrepreneurs who says they developed the complex then were cut out of profits, court records show.
Brooklyn Movie Studio Shut Out $50M Profits From Partners
The family behind a massive Brooklyn Navy Yards film studio complex stands accused of stiffing local partners out of $50 million in profits, a new lawsuit contends.
Steiner Studios — where films such as Steven Spielberg's"West Side Story" and Lin-Manuel Miranda's "Tick Tick Boom!" were filmed — has been named in a civil suit filed by a group of local entrepreneurs who says they developed the complex then were cut out of profits, court records show.
Black New Yorkers Strike Back
Black New Yorkers strike back at city program that seized their properties for developers The plaintiffs say the program unfairly
The Restrictions on Attorney Fees and Settlements in FLSA Deals
{6 minutes to read} Earlier this year, the United States Court of Appeals in the Second Circuit made a decision
Criminalizing Wage Theft, New Jersey, New York, and California
Janitors, servers, and construction workers have something in common. They are likely to face wage theft in industries that underpay
SB7848A Increases Worker’s Ability to Bring Claims of Sexual Harassment to Court
By Shaloni Pinto and Aimee Christianson {Read in 4 minutes} With the passage of New York Senate Bill 7848A, the
Valli Kane & Vagnini Attorneys Named to 2018 New York Super Lawyers List
We are pleased to announce that Sara Wyn Kane, a partner at Valli Kane & Vagnini LLP has been selected
Ex-Mitsubishi Atty Claims Sex Bias Led To Her Ouster
Law360 (September 19, 2018, 8:30 PM EDT) — A Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. unit illegally refused to promote one of its
CBS Agrees To Settle Parking-Spot Guards’ OT Suit For $10M
Law360 (August 22, 2018, 10:21 PM EDT) — In the latest settlement between a major studio and production assistants hired
Supervisor sues Omni hotels, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation when she reported it
A former supervisor with Omni Hotels & Resorts has filed suit against the Dallas-based company, alleging sexual harassment and saying