THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 7, 1997 TAG: 9702070008
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 26 lines
Once again, an employer, Publix, gained notoriety due to the settlement of a class-action discrimination suit. One can only wonder if discrimination was intended, or if the conduct resulting in the suit was due to insensitivity or to being unaware of the law.
The recent publicity given to companies that settled discrimination suits evidences an apparent need for a general knowledge of the laws providing protection against discrimination. Such knowledge would likely result in awareness, sensitivity and respect for diversity, as well as concern for potential liability.
It is time employers and schools take the responsibility to provide information to employees and students on laws prohibiting discrimination on the bases of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin and physical and mental handicap. The incentive to do so is to minimize discrimination suits and to better utilize resources that could otherwise be earmarked for a settlement fund.
PHYLLIS R. STEWART-RUFFIN
Chesapeake, Jan. 29, 1997