• 21
  • December
    2011

It is very important for employers to not subject their employees to wrongful harassment. Wrongful harassment (such as sexual harassment or harassment based on race or national origin) can cause employees to suffer great harm.

Recently, a workplace harassment case that arose in New York has been settled. The case involved a fish market. The fish market was accused of having subjected some of its employees to wrongful harassment.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleged that several black and African male employees of the fish market were sexually harassed (both physically and verbally) by owners and managers of the market. The EEOC also alleged that owners and managers of the market subjected black and African male employees to offensive racial comments.

The EEOC brought a lawsuit in a federal court in New York against the fish market in connection to these allegations. As we mentioned above, a settlement was recently reached in regards to this lawsuit. Reportedly, as part of this settlement, the fish market has agreed to make a monetary payment. The fish market has also reportedly agreed to take steps aimed at protecting employees from discrimination and harassment, such as having an independent equal employment opportunity coordinator and providing anti-discrimination training.

No employee should have to experience wrongful workplace harassment like that which was alleged in this recently settled case. Thus, one hopes that all employers make sure to act properly when it comes to the treatment of their employees and to not subject their employees to wrongful harassment.

Source: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, "M. Slavin & Sons to Pay $900,000 to Settle EEOC Discrimination Suit," Dec. 15, 2011