Globe Life says it could face an EEOC lawsuit for alleged discrimination

Globe Life could face a lawsuit from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for alleged discrimination against six of its salespeople, the insurer disclosed in a regulatory filing on Friday.

The EEOC, a federal body responsible for enforcing laws that prohibit employment discrimination, said there were “reasonable grounds” to believe the agents had been discriminated against on the basis of sex, the filing said.

It also alleged that one of the insurer’s agents was racially discriminated against. Of the six plaintiffs, five are former and one is a current salesperson.

“Should the EEOC choose to file any claims in court, the company intends to vigorously defend itself against any such suit,” Globe Life said, adding that it has policies in place that prohibit discrimination.

It also said the EEOC envisions a conciliation process that could lead to a potential resolution. The federal agency’s findings are not binding on the company, he added.

Currently, the issue is not expected to result in a material loss for the company, Globe Life said.

Company spokesmen did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The EEOC referred questions to the Justice Department, which declined to comment.

(Reporting by Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D’Silva and Krishna Chandra Eluri)