Qualified Male Ultrasound Technician Discharged Because of Gender, Federal Agency Says

LAS VEGAS – Nevada Health Centers, Inc. and Ultracare Las Vegas violated federal law when they discharged a qualified male ultrasound technician because of his gender, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit it filed today.

According to EEOC’s suit, Ultracare Las Vegas hired David Matlock as an ultrasound technician and assigned him to work for Nevada Health Centers, Inc. as part of a contract between the two companies whereby Ultracare Las Vegas provided ultrasound technicians at Nevada Health Centers, Inc. facilities. One of Matlock’s many duties was to perform transvaginal ultrasounds. Matlock performed his job without complaint. Eventually, Nevada Health Centers, Inc. requested that Matlock be replaced by a female ultrasound technician and Ultracare Las Vegas acceded to the request by discharging Matlock and providing a female replacement.

Such alleged conduct violates prohibitions against sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. EEOC filed its suit against the two companies in U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada (Case No. 2:16-cv-1495) after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process. EEOC’s suit seeks back pay, benefits and punitive damages for Matlock as well as injunctive relief intended to prevent further discrimination by the two companies.

“Sex discrimination is simply unlawful for good reasons — it creates roadblocks to equal employment opportunities,” said Anna Park, regional attorney for EEOC’s Los Angeles District, which includes Nevada in its jurisdiction. “Employers need to ensure that such gender preferences do not result in sex discrimination, which inhibits a person’s ability to be employed.”

Richard Burgamy, local director of EEOC’s Las Vegas Local Office, said, “We see sex discrimination occurring in all types of workplaces, and employers need to realize that EEOC is fully committed to eradicating this form of unlawful conduct against anyone.”

EEOC is the federal government agency responsible for enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws in the workplace. Further information about EEOC is available on the agency’s website at www.eeoc.gov.

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