WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION: Pharmacy Company Resolves Race, Gender Discrimination and Retaliation Case

May 31, 2011

San Francisco – Longs Drugs, a major pharmacy company, has agreed to pay $55,000 and implement anti-discrimination policies at work to settle a race, gender discrimination and retaliation lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced Tuesday.

According to the lawsuit, Longs Drugs, which was bought by CVS Caremark, has taken discriminatory and retaliatory actions against a female, African-American employee. Marcia Guaman said she was given written warnings for poor performance while white and male employees, who have lower scores than hers, were not given such notices.

Guaman also said she was not granted with vacation days, while her white co-employees were allowed by the management. She complained to the human resources department regarding the unfair workplace treatment, but she was discharged from duty several months after that. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, it is unlawful to take discriminatory actions against an employee based on her race, gender, age, religion or national origin. Retaliation for a protected action is also prohibited by this law.

Aside from paying Guaman $55,000 for her damages, CVS Caremark is also required to change and impose policies that would promote equality among employees in the workplace.