Source: HR Next

http://www1.hrnext.com/Article.cfm/Nav/5.0.0.0.27881

On July 21, 2003 HR Next reported that "the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on Thursday filed a post-9/11 backlash discrimination lawsuit against Trans States Airlines, Inc., a regional commuter airline. The EEOC has filed six cases alleging this type of discrimination to date... EEOC alleges that Trans States discriminated against Mohammed Hussein, a pilot, because of his Islamic religious beliefs and his Arabic appearance. Hussein, who is a Pacific Islander and native of Fiji, was fired one week after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on September 18, 2001, despite an excellent work record, according to the EEOC... Hussein filed a complaint of religious, race and national origin discrimination with the EEOC in St. Louis. During EEOC's investigation, Trans States asserted that it discharged Hussein primarily because it received an anonymous report that he was in a 'drinking establishment' while in uniform. The EEOC's complaint alleges that contrary to its established policy, Trans States did not investigate the alleged report or even identify the person who made it. They refused to inform Hussein of the allegations against him or provide him a chance to respond to the purported accusation, the EEOC says."