Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. DCP Midstream, L.P.

**Worker Wins Retaliation Case After Complaining About Racial Harassment** This case involved Daniel Mayo, an employee at DCP Midstream, who complained about racially offensive conduct at his workplace. After Mayo spoke up about the inappropriate behavior, the company allegedly punished him for making the complaint. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued DCP Midstream on Mayo's behalf, claiming the company illegally retaliated against him. A jury sided with Mayo and found that DCP Midstream broke the law by punishing him for reporting racial harassment. The court ordered the company to pay Mayo $87,275 total - $35,000 for the harm he suffered and $52,275 in lost wages. The judge also issued an order requiring DCP Midstream to stop retaliating against employees in the future. **What this means for workers:** This ruling reinforces an important workplace protection - employers cannot punish you for complaining about discrimination or harassment. If you report racist behavior or other illegal conduct at work, your employer is forbidden from firing you, demoting you, or treating you badly because you spoke up. Workers who face retaliation can seek help from the EEOC and may recover significant financial damages.