A federal judge will decide if a proposed settlement can resolve a sex discrimination lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Corrections.
The lawsuit was brought by 28 female corrections officers who worked at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility. The suit claims a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
The complaint filed in 2016 claims the department classified four job assignments as female-only and denied female officers job transfers.
The U.S. Attorney’s office says the proposed settlement agreement was filed with the federal district court on Thursday.
“The female correctional officers employed by the Michigan Department of Corrections will finally be able to work under conditions that are fair and consistent with equal employment opportunity principles,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Pamela Karlan of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Under the agreement, the state and Michigan Department of Corrections agree to make changes including improving the recruitment and retention of female correctional officers and lifting the transfer freeze at the facility.
The settlement also includes a financial pay out.
The MichiganAttorney General’s office declined to comment on the settlement.
