Cooper's Hawk Faces Discrimination Allegations

Feb 24, 2023

Downers Grove, Illinois Feb 23, 2023 (Issuewire.com) - Cooper's Hawk Intermediate Holdings, dba Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurant, a privately held, upscale modern casual restaurant, allegedly violated federal laws when it denied advancement to a 52 year old employee because of her age.  According to the complaint, the employee who had been employed since October, 2017 had inquired about advancement on several occasions.  The employee was passed over again and again, despite qualifications, in favor of younger candidates.  The company repeatedly ignored multiple, years-long inquiries and refused further training, while hiring candidates from outside the organization, as well as promoting internally.
Such alleged conduct violates The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) (29 U.S.C. §§ 621-634), which prohibits discrimination based on age (40 and over). For more information, see ADEA.   The employee filed the complaints after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement. It is illegal for an employer to make employment decision based on the employees age.  Age discrimination is unjust and unlawful. This is a textbook example of age discrimination. The EEOC is steadfast in it's commitment to review the case, and if substantiated, enforce the laws that protect individuals 40 years of age and older from unlawful discrimination.
The unrelated harassment allegation claims that Cooper's Hawk violated federal law by subjecting the employee to egregious and ongoing harassment due to race and was severe enough to force the employee to leave her job.  There was no good faith effort to prevent and/or promptly correct the bullying and retaliation. According to the complaint filed, Cooper's Hawk cultivated a toxic work environment by allowing the other employee to harass the claimant and other employees at it's St. Charles, Illinois location.   The general manager, area director and HR department failed to take appropriate action to stop the intimidating behavior and continued to schedule side-by-side shifts together. Cooper's Hawk agreed to investigate the complaints but permitted the alleged harasser to remain in the workplace. Such conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) (42 U.S.C. § 2000e), which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex (including amendments by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1991), national origin, and religion. 
A separate complaint filed with the Illinois Department of Labor for ODRISA violations spanning 49 months, alleges that no breaks were given or offered during long shifts.  
The discharged employee seeks lost wages, forward pay, as well as monetary compensation for the emotional distress suffered in addition to punitive damages and injunctive relief.  

Cooper's Hawk is a privately held company with over 50 locations across the US.

Media Contact

Dawn Powers


*****@gmail.com

Source :Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurant

This article was originally published by IssueWire. Read the original article here.

More News

When Do Rules on Historic Preservation Go Too Far?
Oct 22, 2026
When Do Rules on Historic Preservation Go Too Far?

Saratoga Springs, N.Y., stands out for its preservation efforts. But some say strict designs have become a burden for residents.

'I wasn't thinking straight' says five jobs civil servant
Oct 22, 2026
'I wasn't thinking straight' says five jobs civil servant

Kashim Chowdhury is accused of fraudulently juggling multiple public sector jobs.

Barclays cutting 5,000 jobs as it increases reliance on AI
Oct 22, 2026
Barclays cutting 5,000 jobs as it increases reliance on AI

The bank says it is using more AI leading to a 5% reduction in its workforce.

Tank barrel production returns to UK after 20 years
Oct 22, 2026
Tank barrel production returns to UK after 20 years

The defence secretary says the UK is "back in the business of making weapons" for its armed forces.

The Briefing Room
Oct 22, 2026
The Briefing Room

After mass protests and violence, what will persuade the French to accept economic reform?

Barclays to Cut 5,000 Jobs in A.I.-Driven Push to Lower Costs
Oct 22, 2026
Barclays to Cut 5,000 Jobs in A.I.-Driven Push to Lower Costs

The move is the latest illustration of a company saying it believes it can be more efficient with fewer workers because of artificial intelligence.

Zuckerberg’s Big Deal to Stay in California
Oct 22, 2026
Zuckerberg’s Big Deal to Stay in California

The agreement that Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s chief executive, cut to stay in California underscores businesses’ fears about a major tax proposal.

What is PHP and why did it spark a global cyber-security scramble?
Oct 22, 2026
What is PHP and why did it spark a global cyber-security scramble?

AI uncovered long-hidden programming flaws, triggering a rare global cyber-security response.

Woman 'scared to turn heating on' due to oil cost
Oct 22, 2026
Woman 'scared to turn heating on' due to oil cost

Roslynn Garner-Gatley uses a hot water bottle bed socks and earlier bedtimes to stay warm.

Iowa, Usually Red, Is in Play This Midterm as Economic Woes Mount
Oct 22, 2026
Iowa, Usually Red, Is in Play This Midterm as Economic Woes Mount

The Trump administration’s policies could cost Republicans in a state that is being hit hard by expensive diesel prices and uncertainty over trade.

For Clues About How A.I. Will Change Work, Look to the Past
Oct 22, 2026
For Clues About How A.I. Will Change Work, Look to the Past

Economists hope earlier episodes of labor disruption, from the Industrial Revolution to the Great Depression, can help us prepare for the age of artificial intelligence.

Children in care to get £10 a week savings
Oct 22, 2026
Children in care to get £10 a week savings

Eligible people in the care system will be able to access the savings once they turn 18.

YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.

Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?

Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.

Marketers Log

Marketers Log is your personal Business & Finance news site to provide marketing or market-related news.

Newsletter