The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit yesterday against a San Francisco-based Harley Davidson dealership alleging gender discrimination against a former employee.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Dudley Perkins Company hired Bowen Dean as an entry level lot technician after she had completed training as a mechanic. After being hired in 2005, the dealership reassigned Dean to their bookkeeping and customer service areas, while continuing to hire less experienced male mechanics.
After filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2006, Dean was fired from the dealership and was not hired at any of the other dealerships where she had applied, according to the Chronicle.
The suit not only seeks compensation for loss of wages and other damages but also Dean’s reinstatement. “Dudley Perkins has never actually let me work in my field and has instead put me at desk jobs,” Bowen said, according to the Associated Press. “Women bought 12 percent of all Harley bikes last year. If we can ride them we can fix them. We have to be given a chance.”
