7139: Chevy Dealers Are Dingbats.

From The Chicago Tribune…

Women who shop for cars are called “dingbats”

By Greg Burns

The Chicago office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is one of the most aggressive federal agencies around, and this week it is rising to the defense of “dingbats.”

“Dingbat” is the unflattering term that male employees of Castle Chevrolet in Villa Park supposedly were using to describe the dealership’s female customers.

The car dealer’s principals also are accused of making sexually hostile, abusive and threatening remarks to female employees, groping them and ignoring their complaints.

No one at Villa Park Chevrolet responded immediately to a request for comment. The case has been filed in U.S. District Court after voluntary “conciliation” failed, so presumably the company is contesting the allegation.

Led by regional attorney John Hendrickson, the EEOC office at 500 W. Madison carries a big stick. It’s the same office that went after the Illinois factory of Mitsubishi, in a sex-harassment case that attracted national attention after uncovering outrageous examples of abuse. “One would think that anyone in the auto industry—especially after EEOC’s Mistubishi case—would know that sexual harassment is not only a violation of federal law, but also just plain terrible for the bottom line,” Hendrickson said.

5091: Nooses And Nosedives.

A Midweek MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission saw a 24 percent increase in cases involving racial harassment last year—jumping from 5,646 in 2006 to 6,977 in 2007. Plus, there’s been rise in incidents with nooses. “Nooses are more prevalent,” said EEOC chair Naomi Earp. “The noose has replaced the N-word … as the choice if you want to threaten or intimidate someone.” Perhaps it’s just another indicator of the advertising industry’s inability to progress with the times, but Madison Avenue appears content still using the N-word and other standard discriminatory tactics.

• Macy’s announced plans to fire 2,300 employees. “Improving sales and earnings performance requires innovation in engaging our customer more effectively in every store, as well as reducing total costs,” said Macy’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We believe the right answer is to reallocate our resources to place more emphasis and talent at the local market level to differentiate Macy’s stores, serve customers and drive business.” OK, Mr. Corporate Speak, but this initial move just cost the store at least 2,300 customers.