by Patricia A. Schaeffer, Vice President-Regulatory Affairs
On October 25, 2007, the EEOC announced the settlement of a discrimination lawsuit filed against Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co. on behalf of African American workers who were racially harassed on an oil rig (EEOC v. Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co. Case No. 3:05-CV-691). The EEOC alleged the company’s racial harassment included hangman’s nooses displayed on an oil rig, derogatory racial language, and race-based name calling. Commenting on the settlement, EEOC Chair Naomi Earp called on corporate America to be more proactive in preventing and eliminating racist behavior.