Kickback Jack’s Ordered to Pay $1.1 Million in Sex Discrimination Lawsuit Settlement
Kickback Jack’s restaurants in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia have been ordered by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to pay over $1.1 million in a sex discrimination lawsuit. The EEOC found that male applicants were not hired or were placed in different roles, leading to the ruling against the restaurant chain. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Greensboro, N.C., against Battleground Restaurants, Inc., and Battleground Restaurant Group, Inc., alleging that male applicants were not considered for front-of-house positions since December 2019. The EEOC argued that there was no legitimate reason for the low representation of male employees in these roles.
Between December 2019 and February 2022, Kickback Jack’s restaurants had a disproportionately low number of male employees in front-of-house positions, with some locations not hiring any men at all. The EEOC contended that this hiring pattern violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and recordkeeping regulations. EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas emphasized that hiring decisions should be based on merit, not gender, as mandated by Title VII.
As part of the settlement, Kickback Jack’s is required to pay the settlement amount and implement measures to prevent future discrimination. The restaurant chain must adopt policies prohibiting sex-based discrimination, revise hiring procedures, offer interviews to all qualified applicants, include male servers in promotional materials, and provide annual training on Title VII's prohibitions against sex discrimination. Kickback Jack’s must also submit periodic reports to the EEOC regarding its hiring practices to ensure compliance with the settlement terms.
Male applicants who believe they were affected by the discriminatory practices at Kickback Jack’s are encouraged to contact the EEOC. Claimants can check if they are eligible for compensation in this settlement and reach out to the EEOC at 984-900-5910 or [email protected] for further assistance. The ruling serves as a reminder that businesses must adhere to anti-discrimination laws and ensure fair and equal employment opportunities for all individuals.