Requiring Employee To Dress in a Stereotypical Manner Could Be Discriminatory

Bojangles Restaurants has agreed to pay $15,000 to settle a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit that was brought by the EEOC.  The EEOC’s lawsuit alleges that a transgender employee was subjected to offensive comments regarding her appearance and gender identity.  The employee, who was born male but identifies as female, was told by management to act and groom in ways that are stereotypically male.  Wolfe reported the harassment, but it did not stop.  The Complaint alleged that Wolfe was eventually fired in retaliation for reporting the harassment.  See EEOC v. Bojangles Restaurants, Inc., No. 5:16-cv-00654 (E.D.N.C.).