Yet another judge has dismissed employment discrimination claims brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on the grounds that the agency ignored the unique duties it owes to its litigation targets. This time around, the company claiming victory is Akron-based Sterling Jewelers Inc., the parent company of Kay Jewelers, which was represented by Seyfarth Shaw and Weil, Gotshal & Manges.
In a ruling issued on Monday, U.S. District Judge Richard Arcara in Buffalo blocked the EEOC from pursuing claims that Sterling engaged in a nationwide pattern or practice of denying opportunities for advancement to female employees. Affirming the findings of a magistrate judge, Arcara ruled that the EEOC shirked its statutory obligation to conduct a nationwide investigation of Sterling’s employment practices.
