The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is facing a lawsuit for suspending a sexual harassment case involving female prison guards. The case, filed by a labor union and two female prison guards, accuses the EEOC of halting proceedings as part of a strategy to pause all federal-sector class claims before the agency’s administrative judges.
The lawsuit highlights an administrative judge’s order from December 10, 2025, which noted that the case had been paused and that a notification applied to all federal sector class cases. However, EEOC Chief Operating Officer Sharon Rose asserted in a court document that the judge made the notification “in error” and described it as an “isolated incident.” She mentioned that the EEOC has since reassigned the case to another administrative judge, who has outlined further proceedings.
Justice Department attorney James Harlow also communicated with the plaintiffs, explaining the error and requesting the withdrawal of their motion for a preliminary injunction. Harlow insisted that federal-sector class complaint processing should remain active.
Joseph Sellers, one of the attorneys for the plaintiffs, contested the EEOC’s claim of an isolated mistake. He cited multiple federal workers’ class complaints experiencing delays, including cases involving the FBI and the Department of Defense. Harlow requested details on these and other suspended complaints for investigation.
Sellers noted the timing of scheduling orders issued by EEOC judges only occurred after the lawsuit began, suggesting a pattern rather than an isolated incident. The plaintiffs have expressed willingness to negotiate with the Justice Department for an out-of-court resolution.
The lawsuit was initiated by the American Federation of Government Employees and two female correctional officers at Louisiana’s Federal Correctional Complex at Pollock. The workers allege management failed to prevent inmate harassment of female staff.
Under President Donald Trump’s administration, the EEOC has shifted its focus, impacting diversity, inclusion policies, and broader discrimination investigations. These shifts have led to several lawsuits against EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas, who claims to provide a fair, unbiased approach to workplace civil rights.
Rose stated that neither the EEOC nor its chair issued directives to suspend class cases indefinitely. Questions directed to the EEOC were referred to the Justice Department, which has yet to respond.
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