INDIANAPOLIS – Seva, a company who specializes in hair removal and has several Indianapolis-area locations, faces allegations of discrimination on the basis of race, Indiana Civil Rights Commission’s (ICRC) Deputy Director Akia Haynes announced today.
The announcement comes following an investigation stemming from an October 20, 2012 Complaint filed with the ICRC, finding that Seva wrongfully denied an Indianapolis area African-American woman’s numerous requests to be trained in eye-brow threading while providing the opportunity to less experienced employees of Indian descent.
“The issue is whether the charging party was denied the opportunity to be trained in eye-brow threading while other similarly-situated employees were given the training” said Haynes. “Witness testimony substantiates the charging party’s claim that preference was given to employees of Indian descent.”
In order to prevail in this case, the charging party must show that: (1) she is a member of a protected class; (2) she suffered an adverse employment action; (3) she was meeting Seva’s legitimate business expectations; and (4) similarly-situated employees of a different race were treated more favorably.
Based upon the findings of the investigation, probable cause exists that an unlawful discriminatory practice has occurred in this instance. A public hearing is necessary to determine whether a violation of the Indiana Civil Rights Law occurred.
A finding of probable cause does not resolve a civil rights complaint. Rather, it means the State has concluded its preliminary investigation and determined there is sufficient evidence to support reasonable suspicion that the Indiana Civil Rights Law has been violated. The Indiana Civil Rights Law provides remedies, including compensatory damages and injunctive relief, such as changes in the employer’s policies and training.
The Indiana Civil Rights Commission enforces the Indiana civil rights laws and provides education and services to the public in an effort to ensure equal opportunity for all Hoosiers and visitors to the State of Indiana. For more information, contact Brad Meadows, ICRC Communications Manager, at (317) 232-2651.