Sex Discrimination Lawsuit Settled for $340K

San Francisco, CA: A discrimination lawsuit brought against John Muir Health by eight women has been settled for $340K.

In 2004, seven nurses and one lab technician claimed their job offers were withdrawn after it was determined by physicians during health screening for employment that they had life-threatening latex allergies. John Muir claimed that it was unsafe for the women to work in a hospital setting as a result of their allergies, and that hiring them would pose major health and financial risks.

Consequently, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed the suit on behalf of the eight women, alleging the job offers were withdrawn due to unfounded fears and discrimination. The EEOC noted that some of the women were evaluated by board-certified allergists who concluded they did not have an allergy that would preclude them from safely working at a hospital.