EEOC Sues 99 Ranch Market for Discrimination Against Non-Chinese Workers

According to the EEOC, Tawa Supermarket, Inc. doing business as 99 Ranch Market, violated federal law when it fired and otherwise discriminated against non-Chinese workers based on their national origin. According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, since at least 2016, following a leadership change, the grocery store chain allegedly terminated recently hired non-Chinese managers at multiple locations. Tawa also subjected non-Chinese store-level employees to discrimination by failing to promote them because they are not Chinese, paying them less than Chinese workers, and scheduling them for fewer work hours than Chinese counterparts. As a result, some non-Chinese workers felt they had no choice but to resign. “The EEOC will not hesitate to bring litigation to make clear to employers that cultural preference regarding the composition of their workforce does not insulate them from liability. Preferences based on protected characteristics are simply a form of illegal discrimination under Title VII,” said Catherine Eschbach, acting general counsel for the EEOC. “That the employer here is a Chinese supermarket chain does not provide license to terminate non-Chinese managers or otherwise discriminate against non-Chinese workers in employment terms and conditions.” Christine Park-Gonzalez, director of the EEOC’s Los Angeles District, said, “Customer preference or beliefs that workers from certain groups are more productive do not justify national origin discrimination. Employers must follow federal law and not exclude workers due to national origin.” (EEOC v. Tawa Supermarket, Inc. dba 99 Ranch Market, et al. Case No. 8:26-cv-01682)