EEOC v. Lockheed Martin

**EEOC v. Lockheed Martin: Court Orders Company to Turn Over Personnel Files** This case arose when the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigated claims that Lockheed Martin discriminated against older workers during company layoffs. The EEOC wanted to examine the company's computerized personnel files to gather evidence for their investigation, but Lockheed Martin refused to provide the records. The EEOC then went to court to force the company to hand over the files. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the EEOC. The court determined that the personnel files were relevant to investigating the age discrimination claims and ordered Lockheed Martin to comply with the EEOC's request for the computerized records. This decision matters for workers because it reinforces the EEOC's power to investigate discrimination complaints thoroughly. When employees file discrimination claims with the EEOC, the agency can demand access to company records that might reveal patterns of unfair treatment. Companies cannot simply refuse to cooperate with federal investigations. This ruling helps ensure that workers who believe they faced age discrimination or other workplace bias have a meaningful chance to prove their cases, as investigators can access the evidence they need.