Home Depot to pay $125,000 to settle racial case at Saugus store

<p>The Home Depot Inc. has agreed to pay $125,000 to settle a federal complaint brought on behalf of a former employee who alleged he was racially harassed at work and was fired when he complained about it.</p><p>The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which announced the agreement Thursday, said a federal judge in Boston has approved a settlement that ends the agency's lawsuit against Atlanta-based Home Depot, the nation's largest home improvement store chain.</p><p>The EEOC filed the complaint on behalf of Mark A. Reid, a former night crew lumber department worker and forklift operator at a Home Depot store in Saugus, Mass.</p><p>Reid, who is black, alleged supervisors frequently made racially disparaging remarks about black people, starting in March 2003. Managers condoned derogatory comments made by one of Reid's co-workers, and when Reid complained, he was fired, the lawsuit alleged.</p><p>In a statement, Home Depot said it "denies that it engaged in any form of work force discrimination, and has entered into a voluntary settlement with the EEOC to avoid costly and protracted litigation."</p><p>The company said it "maintains a zero tolerance policy regarding discrimination."</p><p>In addition to paying $125,000, Home Depot agreed to provide Reid with a neutral letter of reference; comply with federal civil rights law regarding racial harassment; train employees at its Saugus store about anti-discrimination laws; and post a notice about the prohibition of workplace discrimination.</p>