Home Depot settles Discrimination suit for $5.5 Million

Atlanta-based Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) has agreed to pay $5.5 million to current and former employees in Colorado to settle an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit. The lawsuit, brought on behalf of employees in the company's Colorado stores, alleges a hostile work environment at the Colorado locations based on gender, race and national origin. It also claims the company retaliated against employees who complained about discrimination. Both the suit and the settlement were filed today, Aug. 25, according to legal documents. If OK'd by a U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado in Denver, the settlement would involve Home Depot paying $3 million to resolve discrimination claims filed by 38 employees, according to the EEOC. Those payments range from $5,000 to $215,000. [more ]