Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Skanska USA Building, Inc.

KETHLEDGE, Circuit Judge.

Skanska USA Building, Inc. was the general contractor for a construction site in Memphis. A Skanska subcontractor hired Maurice Knox and several other African-American men to operate a temporary elevator at the site. They were subjected to extensive harassment based on their race. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Knox thereafter sued Skanska, alleging racial discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq. and 42 U.S.C. § 1981. Although Skanska did not employ Knox directly, the plaintiffs argue that Skanska acted as…