• 20
  • January
    2012

It is very important for employers to take proper steps to protect their employees from workplace sexual harassment. No employee should have to face sexual harassment in the workplace. Such harassment can cause employees to suffer a great deal of harm.

Recently, a case involving allegations of workplace sexual harassment was settled. The case involved a woman who worked as a customer services representative for a discount retailer. The woman reportedly worked in a store the discount retailer has in Richmond, Virginia. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleged that the woman was subjected to sexual harassment during her time at the store.

The EEOC claimed that a manager at the store engaged in sexually harassing conduct towards the woman, such as reducing the woman's hours to try to coerce her into allowing him to come over to her home, propositioning the woman and groping her.

According to the EEOC, the woman eventually resigned from her position with the discount retailer.

The EEOC brought a sexual harassment lawsuit in a federal court in Virginia against the discount retailer in connection to these allegations. As we mentioned above, the EEOC and the discount retailer recently reached a settlement in regards to this lawsuit.

According to a press release on the EEOC's website, as part of this settlement, the discount retailer will make a monetary payment. The discount retailer has also reportedly agreed to take steps aimed at protecting its employees from illegal harassment and discrimination, such as providing managers and employees with anti-discrimination training.

Source: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, "Family Dollar Stores of Virginia to Pay $45,000 to Settle EEOC Sexual Harassment Lawsuit," Jan. 11, 2012