Global Drilling Company to Pay $290,000 For Racial Harassment, Including Nooses

EEOC, Nov 13, 2007

EEOC Says Helmerich & Payne Subjected Black Workers to Racist Behavior on Oil RigBIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced the settlement of a discrimination lawsuit for $290,000 and significant injunctive relief against Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co. (H & P) on behalf of African American men who were subjected to a racially hostile work environment on an oil rig. H & P is an energy oriented company engaged in contract drilling primarily in the United States, South America, and Africa.The racial harassment in the case including hangman’s nooses displayed on Rig 108, derogatory racial language, and race-based name calling, all of which was directed at black employees. In addition to the nearly $300,000 in compensatory damages to be apportioned among the seven class members, the two-year consent decree settling the case (EEOC v. Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co. Case No. 3:05-CV-691) contains the following injunctive relief:

• Enjoins H & P from engaging in racial harassment or retaliation;
• Requires that H & P conduct anti-discrimination training and post a notice about the settlement;
• Requires that H& P redistribute to the workforce its policies prohibiting racial harassment; and
• Requires reporting certain complaints of harassment or retaliation to the EEOC for monitoring.

“We are pleased that H & P has taken these important steps to improve its work environment,” said C. Emanuel Smith, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Birmingham District, which includes Alabama, most of Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle. “The monetary relief for the victims in this case should remind employers that there is a high price to pay for racial harassment.” For the rest of this article provided by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission please visit www.eeoc.gov.