A federal jury has awarded $300,000 to a former SkyWest Airlines employee to settle a sex discrimination lawsuit, marking the largest jury trial award ever obtained by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in the Northern District of Texas. The verdict, announced on Nov. 22, 2024, found that the Utah-based airline subjected a female parts clerk to a hostile work environment.
Jury Verdict Details
The jury reached a unanimous verdict finding that SkyWest Airlines subjected Sarah Budd to a hostile work environment based on her sex. The jury determined the company knew or should have known of the harassment but failed to take prompt remedial action. While the jury awarded $2 million in punitive damages and $170,000 for emotional harm, the total monetary judgment was reduced to $300,000 due to statutory caps on compensatory and punitive damages under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Nature of the Harassment
According to the EEOC, the harassment occurred within the overwhelmingly male Parts and Maintenance Divisions of SkyWest's Dallas operation. Coworkers and at least one manager allegedly made crude sexual comments to Budd, including suggestions that she should make money through prostitution. Male coworkers also allegedly made requests for Budd to perform demeaning sex acts and made frequent jokes regarding rape and rape victims, including claims that women report rape for attention.
Legal Action and Retaliation
The EEOC filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas after failing to reach a settlement through the conciliation process. The agency's suit, filed on Aug. 17, 2022, alleged that the airline retaliated against Budd by placing her on indefinite administrative leave while she waited for sexual harassment training that never occurred. Budd, a survivor of sexual assault, eventually retired from the company after months of being excluded from the workplace.
Failure to Remediate
Investigations into the workplace environment were found to be insufficient. The EEOC stated that when Budd reported the harassment to the employee relations department, the manager failed to interview many employees identified as witnesses or participants. Although SkyWest had promised to discipline coworkers and provide department-wide training, the agency noted the discipline was superficial and the training was canceled after Budd retired. The airline did not conduct training until three years later in response to litigation.
Impact on Employee
The litigation highlighted the personal impact on the employee, who had intended to retire at SkyWest after more than a decade of experience. Alexa Lang, a trial attorney in the EEOC's Dallas District Office, stated that the verdict sends a message to employers that they must take responsibility for maintaining workplaces free from sexually hostile conduct. Lang noted that Budd simply wanted to be heard and to prevent similar occurrences for other women.
Company Leadership
SkyWest Airlines is led by President and CEO Russell "Chip" Childs, who has served as CEO since 2016. The company's executive team includes Chief Financial Officer Robert J. Simmons and Chief Operating Officer Wade Steel.
