LAS VEGAS -- The upscale Lawry’s Restaurant chain will pay $1.025 million in a settlement after a Las Vegas man said he was unfairly rejected for a job in 2003.

The man accused the company of hiring only female servers for its restaurant. Lawry’s also owns locations in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and Corona del Mar, Calif.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit against Lawry’s, claiming the chain had a policy against hiring men for server positions that had existed since 1938.

"This case should remind corporate America that employment decisions must be based on merit and ability to do the job, not on gender stereotypes, "said EEOC Acting Chairman Stuart J. Ishimaru.