FEATURED JOBS
Comments (1)A pair of Jewish brothers who live in the Baltimore metropolitan area are suing a local cable television service outfit and a leading national human resources company for religious discrimination.
On behalf of Scott and Joey Jacobson, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a federal lawsuit Oct. 27 against Conn-X LLC, a Florida cable corporation with an office in Edgewood, and the Houston-based Administaff Inc.
In the EEOC’s complaint, the Jacobsons, who are service technicians, claim they were physically and verbally harassed because of their religion since Sept. 2005. They say such slurs as “dirty Jew,” “stupid Jew,” “f—-ing Jew” and “dumb Jew” were hurled at them by managers and co-workers.
In addition, Scott Jacobson said a red swastika was taped to his vehicle, water was poured on him, and he was forced into a dumpster and tied to a fence. He was also shot at with a BB gun. The Jacobsons said their supervisors failed to correct the “hostile” workplace climate.
When contacted by the BALTIMORE JEWISH TIMES, Scott Jacobson referred all questions to his attorney, Allan Feldman, and EEOC trial attorney Regina M. Andrew.
Ms. Andrew referred all questions to the EEOC’s complaint to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, Northern Division. Mr. Feldman did not return a phone call from the JEWISH TIMES.
The Jacobsons are seeking backpay with prejudgment interest and monetary compensation, as well as punitive damage payments.
According to an EEOC press release, Administaff severed its relationship with Conn-X after Scott Jacobson submitted a complaint to the commission. An Administaff spokesman told the Associated Press that his company will fight the charges.
“The harassment here was cruel and callous,” said EEOC acting chairman Stuart J. Ishimaru. “The use of the swastika is an especially egregious and provocative act, and the anti-Semitic epithets and physical violence alleged here are also outrageous. The EEOC will act, and act forcefully, to rectify this kind of workplace abuse.”