Sexual Assault Discrimination Lawsuit

The U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (”EEOC”) is a federal agency which enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination, including sexual harassment and retaliation for complaining about sexual harassment.  In an August 26, 2009 Press Release, the EEOC announced its filing of a federal lawsuit in which EEOC attorneys charge that a manufacturing company subjected a class of women to egregious sexual harassment and fired an employee who opposed the harassment.  According to the Press Release at http://www.eeoc.gov/press/8-26-09.html , female workers were subjected to severe and pervasive harassment by a company supervisor, and, on several occassions, the supervisor sexually assaulted female workers by allegedly rubbing his crotch against them or by touching or slapping them on their buttocks.  In addition, EEOC attorneys claim in the lawsuit that not only did the company fail to take prompt measures to stop the sexual harassment, it engaged in unlawful retaliation by firing an employee who complained.  Futher, other female employees allegedly quit due to the hostile work environment.  An EEOC attorney quoted in the Press Release said “The company made a bad situation worse and increased its liability by retaliating against employees and witnesses.”  More information about the EEOC is available in the agency’s website at www.eeoc.gov .