Lawsuit accuses JQH Hotels of failing to stop racial harassment

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a civil lawsuit Oct. 2 against John Q. Hammons Hotels Management LLC after the company allegedly failed to stop discriminatory comments directed against black employees at a Marriott in Normal, Ill., according to an EEOC news release.

John Q. Hammons Hotels Management LLC, doing business as John Q. Hammons Hotels and Resorts, operates 35 hotel properties in 16 states, including the Bloomington-Normal Marriot Hotel & Conference Center, according to its website.

JQH spokeswoman Sheri Smith said via email the company has not been served with the suit.

“As a leader in the hospitality industry for decades, we stand behind our stellar record of employing thousands of individuals nationwide in a safe, fair and nondiscriminatory environment,” she said. “We have proven protocols in place companywide to help ensure successful adherence to EEOC employment policies and practices.”

Officials with the EEOC’s Chicago office could not be reached for comment by deadline.

The EEOC claims the hotel management company was aware employees were being subjected to racial slurs, comments regarding slavery and other offensive conduct but “took little or no action to stop it,” according to the release.

The EEOC filed suit after first attempting to reach a settlement, according to the release.

According to the release, the EEOC’s internal investigation found one employee was reportedly told, “Thank you for your contribution to America for picking all that cotton.” The release does not state who made the comments directed against the employees.

“As soon as an employer becomes aware of any kind of discriminatory harassment in the workplace, the employer must act – and must act promptly,” EEOC regional attorney John Hendrickson said in the release. “That is the law, and the EEOC will hold employers accountable if they don’t live up to that responsibility.”