Workplace Sexual Comment Harassment Lawsuit

In an August 19, 2009 Press Release, the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (”EEOC”) announced that the nation’s leading retailer of pet services and products will pay $125,000.00 and furnish significant equitable relief to resolve a federal sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by EEOC attorneys on behalf of female employees allegedly subjected to unwelcome sexual harassment by a store manager.  According to the federal agency’s Press Release, EEOC attorneys charged in the lawsuit that the store manager’s sexually offensive conduct included repeatedly grabbing his genitals while talking to female employees and making explicit sexual comments and innuendos.  The EEOC further claimed that the company not only failed to take prompt and effective action to stop the harassment, as required by law, but engaged in unlawful retaliation against a female manager after she complained.  In this regard, the store manager allegedly yelled at the woman, belittled her in front of subordinates, followed her around the store and disciplined her despite her good job performance.  The EEOC said as well that as a result of the unrelenting harassment and unwarranted retaliation, she was forced to quit her job with the company.  See, http://eeoc.gov/press/8-19-09a.html .  An EEOC attorney quoted in the Press Release said “We filed this lawsuit because all employees have the right to complain about sexual harassment without suffering unlawful reprisals.”  Further information about the EEOC is available at www.eeoc.gov .

Whether unlawful workplace sexual harassment occurs in Baytown, Galveston, League City or elsewhere, victims of employment related sexual harassment may contact the EEOC and an attorney to determine if a sexual harassment lawsuit is ultimately appropriate under the particular facts and circumstances of the potential employment harassment claim.