Filam lawyer defends H&M
December 21, 2007 -- Got something to say?
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CHICAGO Filipino American lawyer Joseph J. Centeno from Philadelphia represents the popular clothing store H&M which has been sued by a Filipina American for discrimination. Centeno, a partner with Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP in Philadelphia who is at the same time Commissioner to the Philadelphia Human Relations Commission in charge of enforcing anti-discrimination ordinances, said H&M is a longstanding client that I have represented for many years both in and outside of Philadelphia, said Centeno in an interview with BALITA.
Because of my longstanding history with H&M, they have asked me to assist them in attempting to resolve this matter in a positive and constructive way, he added. The discrimination complaint was filed in Chicago by Frannie Richards, 33, with the Chicago Commission of Human Relations, claiming that an H&M employee subjected her to racist and sexist slurs.
Richards was entering the Chicago branch of H&M in September to shop when she allegedly overheard a male employee say Mail order bride, and then giggled with another co-worker after asking where she could try on some clothes, the same employee replied, Cant you read? It says fitting room, in a mocking way. After walking away, she heard the employee say Ching. Ching. Chong.
The incident sparked an Oct. 6 rally where a crowd of protestors gathered outside the department store to support Richards.
With the lawsuit, Richards is asking that H&M implements diversity training and terminates the employee who allegedly harassed her. She is also seeking compensation for emotional distress damages.
Richards claims that H&M created a hostile work environment with harassment based on race, national origin, marital status and sex.
But according to Centeno, H&M is dedicated to diversity and anti-discrimination.
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