The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission gave final approval to a $15 million settlement resolving claims that the U.S. Marshals Service systematically discriminated against hundreds of Black employees who sought promotions or special assignments. The agreement, which requires the Marshals Service to update its recruitment and assignment processes and create a priority consideration program for Black employees, resolves claims initially filed by Deputy U.S. Marshal Matthew Fogg way back in 1994. 

The Marshals Service is responsible for the security of federal court facilities , the safety of judges and other court personnel, apprehending criminals, assuring the safety of endangered government witnesses and their families, and other law enforcement matters. 

According to Fogg, the Marshals Service was recruiting white workers to be deputy U.S. marshals more often than it was hiring Black candidates, Black employees received harsher punishments than white colleagues for comparable policy infractions, and white marshals were given preference for special assignments. The Marshals Service has denied any wrongdoing.

The settlement provides funds to hundreds of current and former Marshals Service employees as well as potentially thousands of Black applicants who weren’t hired as deputy U.S. marshals. The agreement also requires the Marshals Service to assess the agency’s current diversity, equity and inclusion policies; develop strategic plans for improving these efforts; and provide annual DEI training to supervisors who are responsible for recruitment, hiring and promotion.

What would a respectful workplace do?

Respectful workplaces rank and evaluate their workers fairly. They don’t make business decisions based on an individual’s race, gender, age, or other protected characteristics. Employers with anti-discrimination, harassment, and retaliation policies, who train managers on those policies, and who hold their employees accountable have the best chance of creating and maintaining a respectful workplace – and staying out of court!

To find out more about our training programs or to book a workshop, please call 800-458-2778 or email us.

Information here is correct at the time it is posted. Case decisions cited here may be reversed. Please do not rely on this information without consulting an attorney first.