Benjamin North, a man who was accused of rape by a fellow student and went on to sue his college for suspending him, has landed a job as an attorney at the federal agency tasked with defending workers against workplace discrimination.
North had maintained his innocence during the lawsuit and took public stances against what he characterized as the excesses of Title IX, the law prohibiting sex discrimination in federally funded education. He was hired as the new assistant general counsel of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), according to an employee who wished to remain anonymous.
North's role could have a significant impact on the cases that the EEOC chooses to bring, given the recent exodus of attorneys from the agency and the office of the general counsel under the second Trump administration. The office is typically filled with experienced litigators, but North was still a college student 10 years ago and now holds a very senior position.
The hiring has sent a concerning signal that the EEOC will focus on cases that align with its new priorities, which include defending the biological and binary reality of sex and related rights. This could impact how workers who have experienced sexual harassment or assault at work perceive the agency's commitment to their claims.
This is not the first instance where North has raised eyebrows during his tenure. He was appointed by EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas in April, along with Shannon Royce, a Christian conservative activist, as her chief of staff. The Christian Employers Alliance had sued the EEOC over its defense of trans people's rights at work.
Under Lucas' leadership, the general counsel's office has dropped several high-profile cases. This hiring marks another shift in priorities for the agency and raises questions about whether North's views align with the EEOC's mission to enforce protections against workplace discrimination.
North had maintained his innocence during the lawsuit and took public stances against what he characterized as the excesses of Title IX, the law prohibiting sex discrimination in federally funded education. He was hired as the new assistant general counsel of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), according to an employee who wished to remain anonymous.
North's role could have a significant impact on the cases that the EEOC chooses to bring, given the recent exodus of attorneys from the agency and the office of the general counsel under the second Trump administration. The office is typically filled with experienced litigators, but North was still a college student 10 years ago and now holds a very senior position.
The hiring has sent a concerning signal that the EEOC will focus on cases that align with its new priorities, which include defending the biological and binary reality of sex and related rights. This could impact how workers who have experienced sexual harassment or assault at work perceive the agency's commitment to their claims.
This is not the first instance where North has raised eyebrows during his tenure. He was appointed by EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas in April, along with Shannon Royce, a Christian conservative activist, as her chief of staff. The Christian Employers Alliance had sued the EEOC over its defense of trans people's rights at work.
Under Lucas' leadership, the general counsel's office has dropped several high-profile cases. This hiring marks another shift in priorities for the agency and raises questions about whether North's views align with the EEOC's mission to enforce protections against workplace discrimination.
this is wild news... I mean I get that he was a lawyer and all, but like 10 yrs ago he was accused of rape 
and then goes on to work for the gov't agency that defends ppl who got sexually harassed at work? 
it's not just about his views on Title IX though, it's the fact that he's literally a suspect in a rape case now working on cases involving sexual harassment 
doesn't sit right with me. what's next? is he gonna defend ppl accused of assault? 
. I mean, think about it, this guy was accused of rape by a fellow student and went on to sue his college for suspending him... and now he's working at the agency that's supposed to defend workers against workplace harassment and assault? It doesn't add up 
️. And what's with the EEOC prioritizing cases related to biological and binary sex rights? That's a huge red flag 
. It's like, if you've been harmed at work, don't come crying to the EEOC when they're already leaning in the other direction 
. This guy just doesn't seem like the right fit for this role 
.
. I hope they actually care about enforcing protections against workplace discrimination, or this is gonna be a really sad day for equality 
and now he's gonna be influencing the cases they choose to bring which is wild considering how polarized it is rn. I mean i get it, he was a student who sued his college for suspending him after being accused of rape & all but like isn't that kinda problematic?? did he really not learn from that experience 
? also this new hiring feels like a major red flag for the eeco's priorities cuz they're shifting away from defending workers against sex discrimination which is literally what they're supposed to do 
i personally dont think its a big deal tho he was a student 10 yrs ago who got accused of something and now hes working for the agency thats kinda weird but idk how much impact his views will really have on the cases they choose to bring id say its more about politics than North's personal beliefs 
. Like what does that say about the EEOC? They’re supposed to protect workers not defend some guy's right to say whatever they want about sex 
. I don’t think it’s a good look and I hope he doesn’t mess up all the important work these people are trying to do 
, I got this gorgeous succulent that's literally the easiest thing to care for! Anyway, back to this news... it's kinda wild that they're hiring someone who's been accused of rape and thinks Title IX is too restrictive. I mean, what's next? Are they gonna hire a climate change denier or something? 
Just thinking about how our workplaces should be safe spaces for everyone, no matter what their sex or identity is... anyway, off to water my plants now 
As someone who cares deeply about mental health and wellness, it's devastating to think that victims might not feel seen or supported by an organization that's supposed to be on their side.
It's time to take a step back and reevaluate what kind of work environment we want to create, where everyone feels safe and respected, regardless of their identity or experience.
We need to prioritize empathy, compassion, and understanding in our workplaces and in our laws.