EEOC finds in favor of Henry County employee

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has recommended that Henry County pay $112,000 in back pay and compensatory damages to former human resources director Nedra Swift, who alleged discriminatory actions by the county that led to her dismissal.

The office noted in a statement that it did not find sufficient evidence to support Swift’s claims of a hostile work environment because of race, sex and age, but there was evidence that her internal complaints were not dealt with in a timely manner and her dismissal came soon after her complaints. The evidence and the overall record, according to the EEOC, resulted in “reasonable cause” to conclude that Swift “was retaliated against for engaging in protected activity.” County officials have said that the matter is “pending” and have not acted on the EEOC’s conciliation agreement.