Opinion ID: 1372476
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Plaintiff-Appellant Collette Hampton

Text: In early 2004, Collette Hampton began working the night shift on the chassis line at Ford's Chicago assembly plant. Beginning that summer, Hampton allegedly suffered ongoing sexual harassment and discrimination by her coworkers. In May 2005, after retaining legal counsel, she submitted a statement concerning her alleged harassment to Ford management. Ford investigated her claims and found them to be uncorroborated, yet it agreed to move Hampton to the motor line in mid-August 2005. Hampton did not experience any harassment after switching job duties. On December 7, 2005, she filed a Charge of Discrimination with the Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging that she was harassed and discriminated against by her coworkers on the chassis line. In early August 2006, while awaiting response to her EEOC charge, Hampton learned of Ford's voluntary buyout program and decided she wanted to participate. Toward the end of August, Ford planned to lay off a number of employeesincluding Hamptonin a seniority-based reduction in force. Faced with upcoming unemployment, Hampton naturally considered the buyout to be an attractive alternative. She asked her UAW representative to inquire about her eligibility and, if necessary, negotiate with Ford to allow her to participate. On October 2, 2006, Ford sent Hampton a letter confirming that she would be eligible for the STEP and notifying her of an informational meeting on October 10, which she did not attend. Hampton also received written materials explaining the details of the buyout, including the effect of receiving a STEP payment and the procedure for applying. According to the materials, Hampton could apply for the STEP at any time between October 16 and November 27, 2006. Ford also directed its employees to pose any questions about the STEP to the personnel/labor relations department or their UAW representative. Following Hampton's initial conversation with her UAW representative regarding her eligibility, she did not speak to anyone else about the buyout. On the first day of the application period, Hampton applied for the STEP and signed the Waiver. Hampton testified at her deposition that she unsuccessfully attempted to contact her attorney before signing. However, representatives from Ford's human resources department and the UAW, each of whom witnessed Hampton's signature and also signed the Waiver, were available to discuss the agreement and answer additional questions. Hampton later provided her attorney with a copy of the executed agreement. Hampton's effective termination date was January 1, 2007, after which she received and promptly cashed a check for $64,429the $100,000 STEP payment, less applicable withholdings. On November 17, 2006, a month after Hampton signed the Waiver, but before the application enrollment period concluded, the EEOC issued her a right-to-sue letter based on her December 2005 charge. On December 6, 2006, she filed the instant lawsuit in the Northern District of Illinois, alleging sexual discrimination and harassment in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a)(1). Following discovery, Ford filed a motion for summary judgment, in which it denied the merits of Hampton's claims and argued that she waived her claims by signing the Waiver on October 16, 2006. On January 7, 2008, the district court granted summary judgment in Ford's favor. The court did not reach the substance of Hampton's Title VII claims because it determined that she had released them as a matter of law. Hampton now appeals.