Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-04705/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-04705-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 442
Nature of Suit: Civil Rights Employment
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question

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WILLIAM R. TAMAYO - #084%5 (CA) 

JONATHAN T. PECK -- #I2303 VA 

EVANGELINA FIERRO HERNA LIL Z -- #I68879 (CA) 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY 

COMMISSION 

San Francisco District Office 

350 The Embarcadero, Suite 500 

San Francisco, California 94105 

Evan~.elina.Hernandez@eeoc.g;ov - 

Attorneys for Plaintiff Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 

SUSAN SHER-14210 WA 

LAW OFFICES OF SUSAN SHER 

215 West Standley Street, Suite 8 

Ukiah, California 95482 

Telephone: (707) 463-1 196 

Fascimile: (707) 462-6258 

Attorney for Plaintiff-Intervenor Amanda K. Manning 

JEFFEREY N. DALY - #59034 (CA) 

P.O. Box 246 

Hidden Valley Lake, California 

Telephone: (707) 987-9082 

Facsimile: (707) 987-0982 

CATHERINE L. MANSKE - #I83 8 15 (CA) 

GORDON & REES LLP 

655 University Avenue, Suite 200 

Sacramento, California 95825 

Telephone: (9 16) 565-2900 

Fascimile: (9 16) 920-4402 

Attorneys For: Defendant 

J.A. SUTHERLAND, INC. DBA TACO BELL 

Consent Decree 

3:06<v-4705-TEH 

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Case 3:06-cv-04705-TEH Document 51 Filed 07/19/07 Page 1 of 12
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNlTY 

COMMISSION, 

Plaintiff, 

and 

AMANDA MANNING, 

Plaintiff-Intervenor 

J.A. SUTHERLAND, INC., d/b/a 

TACO BELL, 

Defendant. 1 

Civil Action No. 3:06-cv-4705-TEH 

CONSENT DECREE 

Plaintiff U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("Commission" or "EEOC") 

brought this lawsuit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title I of the Civil Rights 

Act of 1991, to correct alleged unlawful employment practices on the basis of sex harassment 

and to make whole Ms. Amanda Manning who was allegedly aggrieved by unlawful practices. 

Plaintiff EEOC alleged that defendant J.A. SUTHERLAND, INC., d/b/a TACO BELL 

(hereinafter "the Company" or "Defendant") unlawfully subjected Ms. Manning to a 

sexually hostile work environment. Plaintiff -Intervenor Amanda Manning intervened 

in the lawsuit alleging both federal and state claims of discrimination. Plaintiff EEOC 

and the Intervenor are collectively referred to as the "Plaintiffs." Defendant has 

answered the complaints and denied all the allegations. 

In the interest of resolving this matter and as a result of having engaged in 

comprehensive settlement negotiations, the Commission, Intervenor, and Defendant 

Consent Decree 

3:06cv4705-TEH 

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Case 3:06-cv-04705-TEH Document 51 Filed 07/19/07 Page 2 of 12
(hereinafater "the Parties") have agreed that the above-captioned lawsuit should be 

finally resolved by entry of this Consent Decree. This Consent Decree shall not 

constitute an adjudication and/or a finding on the merits of the lawsuit. 

This Consent Decree resolves all claims arising out of EEOC Charge No. 370- 

2004-02927 and the complaints filed in the lawsuit. This Consent Decree also resolves all claims 

for attorneys fees and costs that were made or could have been made by the Commission and the 

Intervenor, and the Defendant in this lawsuit. This Consent Decree does not, however, resolve 

any future charges or charges that may be pending with the EEOC other than the charge and 

complaints specifically referenced in this paragraph. 

This Consent Decree comprises the full and exclusive agreement of the Parties. No 

waiver, modification or amendment of any provision of this Consent Decree shall be effective 

unless made in writing and approved by all the Parties and the Court. 

The Court has reviewed this Consent Decree in light of the pleadings, the record herein, 

and now approves this Consent Decree. THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND 

DECREED: 

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS 

1. This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter and the Parties to this lawsuit. This 

Court will retain jurisdiction over this Decree for all purposes until the expiration of 

Parties' obligations as set forth herein. 

2. This Consent Decree is final and binding upon the Parties, their successors and assigns. 

11. GENERAL INJUNCTIVE RELIEF I 

3. Sexual Harassment: Defendant, and its officers, agents, managers (including supervisory 

I 

employees), successors and assigns, is enjoined from: (a) discriminating against persons 

~ 

I on the basis of sex in the terms and conditions of employment; (b) engaging in or be a 

~ party to any action, policy or practice that is intended to, or is known to them, to have the 

effect of harassing or intimidating any employee on the basis of sex; or (c) creating, 

facilitating or permitting, to the extent known to them, the existence of a work 

Consent Decree 

3:06cv4705-TEH 

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environment hostile to female employees. 

111. MONETARY RELIEF 

5. Defendant shall pay the total sum of $48,000.00 (the "Settlement Payment") as damages, 

to Amanda Manning as set forth below. 

a. The Settlement Payment will be paid as damages. 

b. Defendant shall report the Settlement Payment by issuance of IRS Form 1099 to 

Amanda Manning. 

c. Defendant shall pay the Settlement Payment as follows: 

1. Within twenty (20) days of the entry of this Consent Decree, the Defendant 

will issue 1) a check for the amount of $48,000.00 made jointly payable to 

Amanda Manning and the Offices of Susan Sher. Defendant shall make payment 

in the form of a business check, cashier's check, or certified check. Defendant will 

mail the check to Ms. Sher at 215 West Standley Street, Suite 8, Ukiah, California 

95482, and mail a copy of the check to Evangelina Fierro Hernandez, Senior Trial 

Attorney, EEOC 350 The Embarcadero, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94105. 

d. Payment of monetary relief to Ms. Manning and her attorney shall be contingent 

on the execution of a separate release by Ms. Manning. 

e. Entire Consideration. The Plaintiffs agree that the foregoing amounts shall 

constitute the entire monetary consideration provided to the Plaintiffs under this 

Consent Decree and that Plaintiff Intervenor, and her respective attorney, will not 

seek any mher compensation for any other claimed damage, cost, or attorney's 

fees in connection with the matters encompassed by this Consent Decree. 

IV. SPECIFIC INJUNCTIVE RELIEF 

6. Zero-Tolerance 

Defendant affirms the following "Statement of Zero-Tolerance Policy and Equality 

Objectives": 

Defendant is firmly committed to maintaining a zero-tolerance 

Consent Decree 

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policy concerning discriminatory harassment and retaliation against 

individuals who report harassment in the company's workplace; to 

swiftly and firmly respond to any acts of harassment and retaliation 

of which the company becomes aware; to imposing appropriate 

discipline designed to strongly deter future acts of harassment or 

retaliation; and to actively monitor its workplace in order to ensure 

tolerance, respect and dignity for all employees. 

This paragraph does not create any individual contractual or common law causes of 

action or other rights that would not otherwise exist under statute. 

7. EEO and Harassment Policies 

Defendant shall revise to the extent necessary its EEO & harassment policies, 

within forty-five (45) days of signing the Consent Decree, such that the policies: 

(i) include definitions of discriminatory harassment, with specific reference to 

harassment based on sex; (ii) include examples to supplement the definitions of 

harassment based on sex; (iii) provide for appropriate discipline andfor corrective 

action for incidents of discriminatory harassment; (iv) include strong nonretaliation language with examples to supplement the definition of retaliation; (v) 

provide for appropriate discipline for incidents of retaliation designed to deter 

I future acts of retaliation; (vi) provide that complaints of harassment andor 

retaliation will be accepted irrespective of whether they are made verbally or in 

writing; (vii) provide a reasonable timetable for commencing an investigation after 

a complaint is made or received and for appropriate remedial action, if warranted, 

I 

i to be taken upon conclusion of an investigation; and (viii) indicate that, promptly ~ 

upon the conclusion of the investigation of a complaint, the Company will 

communicate to the complaining party the results of the investigation and the 

remedial actions taken or proposed, if any. 

b. Defendant shall effectively disseminate its revised policies and procedures 

Consent Decree 

3:06cv-4705-TEH 

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by: 

1. Distributing copies of the policy to all new Clearlake employees 

within 30 days of its adoption; 

ii. Giving a copy of the policy to and reviewing the policy with all 

new employees upon the employees' hire. 

c. The Company will submit a copy of the revised EEO and harassment 

policies to EEOC at the same time it distributes said policies to its 

Clearlake, California employees. 

8. Complaint Procedure. 

Defendant shall maintain a complaint procedure designed to encourage employees to 

come forward with complaints about violations of its harassment policy. As part of the 

policy, Defendant shall provide its employees with convenient, confidential and reliable 

mechanisms for reporting incidents of harassment and retaliation. The complaint 

procedure and harassment policy shall notify employees that they can lodge a complaint 

with their immediate supervisor, human resources, or any corporate official. Contact 

information for human resources and corporate officials shall be posted in the policy. 

Contact information for the human resources and corporate officials also shall be posted 

in a prominent place at the business location in Clearlake, California. 

19 11 9. Distribution of Anti-Harassment Policy. 

Within forty five (45) days of the entry of this Consent Decree, Defendant shall issue to 

all employees, supervisors and managers at the Clearlake location its EEO and harassment 

policy and each such person shall be asked to sign an acknowledgment that they have 

received and read the policy. The same acknowledgment shall be required of all newly 

hired employees at the start of their employment. 

10. train in^ of Em~lovees. 

Within sixty (60) days of entry of this Consent Decree, Defendant shall provide three (3) 

hours of anti-harassment training to all Clearlake employees. A second training shall 

Consent Decree 

3:06-~~4705-TEH 

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occur no later than May 15,2008. A third training shall occur no later than May 15, 

2009. The purpose of said training shall be to give participants an understanding of 

harassment issues, particularly sexual harassment, including but not limited to what 

constitutes sexual harassment, sources of legal protection for sexual harassment victims, 

the employees' obligation to report sexual harassment, the employer's obligation to take 

preventive, investigative and remedial action with respect to harassment complaints, and 

to review company policies (including discipline policies) and practices related to sexual 

harassment and retaliation with Company employees. Defendant shall retain records of 

the training programs, copies of any materials distributed during the training and 

identifllng persons who attended the training. Defendant will provide a copy of these 

records, and the training materials to the Commission within thirty (30) days of 

completion of each training. 

I 11. Expungement of Records and Disclosure of Information Reparding Amanda 

Manninp's Emplovment 

a. Defendant shall not disclose any information or make references to any charge of 

discrimination or this lawsuit in responding to employment reference requests for 

information about Amanda Manning. 

b. Defendant shall expunge fiom Amanda Manning's personnel file any references to 

a charge of discrimination against the Company and this lawsuit. 

c. From the date of entry of this Consent Decree, Defendant shall not disclose in 

response to inquiries from potential employers any information regarding Amanda 

Manning's employment with the Company except as follows: 

1. In response to a specific inquiry, the Company may disclose Amanda 

Manning's dates of employment, position held and final rate of pay; 

ii. The Company may report any information as required by law to state or 

federal authorities; 

iii. The Company may disclose information under Court order; 

Consent Decree 

3:06<v4705-TEH 

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iv. Within twenty (20) days from the date of entry of this Consent Decree, the 

Company shall provide Amanda Manning with a letter of reference stating 

her dates of employment and positions held. The original letter of reference 

shall be sent to Susan Sher, Esq. for transmittal to Ms. Manning, with a 

copy to Evangelina Fierro Hernandez, Senior Trial Attorney, EEOC, 350 

The Embarcadero, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94105. 

Reports to the Commission 

a. Training: Reports: 

Within thirty (30) days of completion of each training required by this Consent 

Decree, the Company will send the EEOC verification of its completion of 

harassment training for its employees and accompanying documents. 

b. Sexual Harassment Complaint Reports: At the time the above verification of each 

training, Defendant shall provide to the Commission the name, address, position 

and telephone number any individual who has brought allegations of sexual 

harassment, andlor retaliation against Defendant, formal or informal, including, 

but not limited to, management officials, vendors, agents, employees, and 

customers. The nature of the complaint, the investigation by the Company and the 

corrective action taken, if any, shall be specified. 

13. Policies Desipned to Promote Supervisor Accountabilitv 

a. Communication of Potential Discipline for Engaging; in Harassment. 

Defendant shall impose appropriate discipline, up to and including termination, 

suspension without pay or demotion, upon any supervisor or manager who 

engages in sexual harassment or knowingly permits any such conduct to occur in 

his or her work area or among employees under his or her supervision, or who 

retaliates against any person who complains or participates in any investigation or 

proceeding concerning such conduct. The Company shall communicate this 

Consent Decree 

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policy to all of its supervisors and managers. 

b. Communication of Dutv to Actively Monitor Woksite. 

Defendant shall advise all managers and supervisors of their duty to actively 

monitor their work areas to ensure employee compliance with the company's antiharassment policy, and to report any incidents andlor complaints of harassment 

andfor retaliation of which they become aware to the individuals charged with 

handling such complaints. 

V. RETENTION OF JURISDICTION AND EXPIRATION OF CONSENT DECREE 

a. This Consent Decree shall automatically terminate two (2) years from the date of 

entry by the Court, unless the Commission or Defendant petitions this Court for an 

extension of the Decree because of noncompliance by any Party. If any Party 

determines that the other has not complied with the Consent Decree, the Party will 

provide written notification of the alleged breach to all Parties and will not petition 

the Court for enforcement sooner than thirty (30) days after providing written 

notification. The thirty-day period following written notice shall be used by the 

parties for good faith efforts to resolve the issue. If the Commission petitions the 

Court and the Court finds the Company to be in substantial violation of the terms 

of the Decree, the Court may extend this Consent Decree. 

Plaintiff Commission 

Dated: 3 // ,200'7 

n 

- Y 

William R. Tama 

Regional Attorn 

Defendant: 

Dated: June , 2007 

Jefferey N. Daly 

LAW OFFICES OF JEFFEREY N. DALY 

Consent Decree 

3:06-~v-4705-TEH 

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policy to all of its supervisors and managers. 

b. Communication of Dutv to Activelv Monitor Worksite. 

Defendant shall advise all managers and supervisors of their duty to actively 

monitor their work areas to ensure employee compliance with the company's antiharassment policy, and to report any incidents and/or complaints of harassment 

andlor retaliation of which they become aware to the individuals charged with 

handling such complaints. 

V. RETENTION OF JURISDI(T1ON AND EXPIRATION OF CONSENT DECREE 

a. This Consent Decree shall automatically terminate two (2) years from the date of 

entry by the Court, unless the Commission or Defendant petitions this Court for an 

extension of the Decree because of noncompliance by any Party. If my Party 

determines that the other has not complied with the Consent Decree, the Party will 

provide written notification of the alleged breach to all Parties and will not petition 

the Court for enforcement sooner than thirty (30) days after providing written 

notification. The thirty-day period following written notice shaI1 be used by the 

parties for good faith efforts to resolve the issue. If the Commission petitions the 

Court and the Court finds the Company to be in substantial violation of the terms 

of the Decree, the Court may extend this Consent Decree. 

Plaintiff Commission Defendant: 

Dated: June , 2007 Dated: June a ,2007 

William R. Tamayo 

Regional Attorney OFFICES OF JEFFEREY N. DALY 

Consent Deem 

3:06cv-4705-TEH 

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I 

Catherine L. Manske 

GORDON & REES LLP 

d Plaintiff-Intervenor 

SUSAN SHER 

LAW OFFICES OF SUSAN SHER 

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT Attorney for Intervenors OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION 

IT IS SO ORDERED: 

Dated: 

Thelton E. Henderson 

United States District Court Judge 

Consent Decree 

3:06-CV-4705-TEH 

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Jun 28 2007 9:36RM Lau Office of Susan Sher (7071462-6258 

9 1 IT IS SO ORDERED: 

1 

2 

Dated: 

Jonathan T. Peck 

Supervisory Trial Attorney 

Catherine L. Manske 

GORDON & REES LLP 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

Plaintiff-Intervenor 

Conaeat Dmr 

3:06cv4705-TEH 

w 

LAW OFFICES OF SUSAN SHER 

Attorney for Intervenors 

Thelton E. Henderson 

United States District Court Judge 

Page 10 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORN

I

A

Judge Thelton E. Henderson

07/18/07

Case 3:06-cv-04705-TEH Document 51 Filed 07/19/07 Page 12 of 12