NTB to settle EEOC religious harassment suit

CHICAGO (Oct. 23, 2015) — National Tire & Battery (NTB), a part of TBC Retail Group, will pay $22,500 to settle a national origin and religious harassment suit brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) this summer against the company.

The EEOC filed suit against NTB in June before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

That suit alleged that an unnamed Muslim Arab mechanic who worked for NTB at its Orland Park and Matteson, Ill., locations was harassed by managers and co-workers in 2007 through 2009.

According to the EEOC, managers and co-workers called the man “Taliban,” “al-Qaeda,” “bin Laden” and “terrorist,” and accused him of making bombs. The worker complained repeatedly to management, but the company did nothing to stop the harassment, the agency said.

Besides the monetary payment to the former NTB employee, the two-year consent decree prohibits NTB and its employees from harassing fellow workers because of religion or national origin, and from retaliating against employees who complain about harassment.

Also, NTB must train managers on how to respond to harassment complaints; submit periodic reports to the EEOC about religious and national origin harassment complaints; and post notices at Orland Park and Matteson regarding the outcome of the lawsuit.

TBC Retail Group operates 779 service centers under the NTB, Tire Kingdom and Merchant's Tire & Auto Centers brands and franchises more than 400 Big O Tires locations as well. 

In a statement, TBC said it was pleased there has been a resolution in the case, which dates back to incidents that occurred between 2007 and 2009.

The EEOC has approved NTB's revised policies on harassment, and the employees accused of committing the harassment are no longer with the company, according to TBC.

“NTB Tire & Auto Service Centers is committed to the safety and well-being of our customers and associates,” the company said. “Harassment and misconduct have no place in our workplace.”