EEOC Sues Staffing Firm Over Client’s Alleged “Male-Only” Hiring Request: 5 Key Lessons for the Industry
Staffing firms across the country are facing increased scrutiny from the federal government over how they respond to client demands – and a new lawsuit can provide lessons for your organization . The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a September 29 lawsuit accusing a South Carolina-based agency of refusing to hire or refer women for laborer positions at a client’s plant. According to the agency, the case shows how staffing firms can be held liable for workplace law violations even if they claim to just be “following orders” from clients . Staffing industry firms should take note of the legal theories at play – and consider the five compliance lessons this lawsuit can teach you. When Client Demands Cross the Line The EEOC’s complaint, filed in federal court in Alabama on September 29, alleges that WorkSmart Staffing, Inc., systematically excluded women from laborer jobs they placed at client company TCI of Alabama between August 2020 and August 2023 . Key allega...