Home Health Provider Settles EEOC Claim It Honored Clients' Race-Based Assignment Requests

Mid-Michigan Home Health & Hospice agreed to a five-year consent decree with the EEOC and will pay $41,000 to a Black nursing assistant. She alleged she was denied assignments given to White co-workers because of her race, and the company was accused of following clients' race-based preferences. The settlement shows the EEOC will pursue employers that accommodate customer requests based on race.

Why it matters: HR and workforce leaders in staffing-heavy industries need to know that client preferences based on race or other protected traits do not excuse discriminatory assignment practices.