DynaCorp, a federal contractor specializing in aviation, management and security, has earned a negative spotlight in recent weeks for their discriminatory employee policies. The allegations stem from a claim which produced a $155,000 settlement on Jan. 6 after a complaint was filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The case is centered around James Friso, a straight aircraft mechanic who was subjected t gender-based harassment including anti-gay comments like “faggot,” dick-sucker” and “queer” on a daily basis.
When Friso complained to DynaCorp management, the corporation failed to take action. After multiple complaints, DynaCorp reportedly said they “would get rid of him” should the complaints continue to be an issue.
“This lawsuit should remind employers that employees have a legal right to a workplace free of harassment, including harassment based on sex-based stereotypes,” Lynette A. Barnes, regional attorney for EEOC’s Charlotte District said in a statement to the Washington Blade. “Employers must be careful about allowing comments concerning sexual orientation to be made in the workplace because if those comments are based on sexual stereotyping, they might violate the law.”
An LGBT organization, Freedom to Work, is urging President Obama to sign an ENDA Executive Order that would apply to federal contractors like DynaCorp to protect their employees against discrimination.
Activists and allies for the LGBT community can sign a petition in support of the measure by logging onto Change.org and rallying DynaCorp to change their discriminatory employee policies.
