Pittsburgh commission finds UPMC McGee discriminated against employee, recommends pay and policy changes

A two-day public hearing panel convened by the City of Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations concluded that UPMC McGee discriminated against complainant Eric Thomas and recommended remedies and policy changes, the commission reported at its May 5 meeting.

The public hearing panel’s summary said the commission "has found that UPMC McGee discriminated against Eric Thomas" and recommended relief for Thomas, including both back pay and front pay for losses tied to his job separation at McGee Hospital. The panel also recommended that UPMC adopt a domestic-violence policy in its personnel handbook and standardize investigation practices across its human-resources departments at UPMC facilities.

The panel heard testimony over two full days and reviewed exhibits and transcripts. Both parties in the case were represented by counsel, the commission said. The commission’s report on the case will be made public after it is signed by the panel chair.

Commission staff thanked the public-hearing panel and legal staff for the work of reviewing evidence and drafting findings. The summary document of findings and recommended relief is available for commissioners to review and will be released publicly after final administrative steps, the commission said.

Why it matters: The commission’s findings identify specific personnel-practice changes the panel believes would reduce risk of future discrimination, and they include monetary relief for the complainant. The recommendations, if adopted and enforced as orders or through settlement, would require changes to UPMC’s human-resources procedures at McGee and potentially across other UPMC facilities.

No vote tally was given in the public summary presented at the meeting; the panel’s written findings will provide the formal record when published.