today:
127
yesterday:
251
Total:
1,112,061

Articles about Careers

Egg Giant National Food to Pay $650,000 To Settle EEOC Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

Employer Failed to Stop Supervisor's Sexual Demands, Retaliated Against Workers Who Spoke Out, Federal Agency Charged

SEATTLE - National Food Corporation, a major supplier of eggs to the Pacific Northwestern and Midwestern United States and East Asia with headquarters in Everett, Wash., will pay $650,000 to five workers and provide other relief to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.

The EEOC's suit charged that a supervisor at National Food's egg farm in Lind, Wash., repeatedly demanded sexual favors from a female laborer, who worked alone in a henhouse, in order to keep her job. Taking advantage of her isolated workplace, the supervisor would physically grab the barn worker and demand sex from her on a weekly basis, from 2003 to 2010. The EEOC also alleged that when her co-workers raised complaints about sexual harassment to company management, they were fired or forced out of their jobs.

"For almost seven years, I tried to just survive these demands from my boss, because I needed to support my mother and my daughter," said the worker. "I hope my case will help other workers to speak out against sexual harassment. It's important to know that that you have a right to say no to sexual demands even from a supervisor, and that the law protects you when you protest harassment."

Sexual harassment violates Title VII of Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed the lawsuit (EEOC v. National Food Corp., CV-12-00550-TOR.) in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, after an investigation conducted by EEOC investigator Richard Hernandez, and first attempting to reach voluntary settlement out of court. The workers were also represented by private counsel from Columbia Legal Services and MacDonald Hogue & Bayless.

"This lawsuit is another in an unfortunate pattern of employers taking advantage of female agricultural workers who often work in isolation and are unaware of their rights," said David Lopez, general counsel of the EEOC. "It is one of the EEOC's national priorities to combat discrimination against vulnerable workers, and we hope that this settlement sends a message to other employers that they need to be vigilant to prevent sexual harassment and other abuse."

Under the consent decree resolving this lawsuit, National Food has also agreed to issue EEO policies in English and Spanish to employees throughout Eastern Washington and South Dakota; institute changes to ensure that its complaint procedures are accessible; and train its management and to hold supervisors accountable for any discrimination, harassment or retaliation under their watch. In addition, National Foods will report harassment complaints to the EEOC for four years, and will not rehire the alleged harasser in any capacity.

"All workers have the right to a workplace free of harassment," said EEOC San Francisco Regional Attorney William R. Tamayo, whose office has jurisdiction over Washington State. "We are glad that National Foods worked with the Commission to reach this resolution without going through lengthy and costly litigation. The settlement will provide significant relief for individuals EEOC believes were victims of egregious harassment and retaliation. The changes in company practices and the discharge of the harasser will hopefully create a safe place for employees."

"Abuse of power should not occur in the workplace, whether in a white-collar office or on an isolated farm," said Michael Baldonado, director of the EEOC's San Francisco District Office. "The steps that National Food has agreed to should send a clear message that sexual harassment and retaliation will not be tolerated."

This case fits within two of the six national priorities identified by the Commission's Strategic Enforcement Plan (SEP): protecting vulnerable workers who may be less familiar with their rights under equal employment laws, and addressing workplace harassment through systemic enforcement and targeted outreach.

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Additional information about the EEOC is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.

 

http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/5-16-13.cfm

No. Subject Date Views
181 EEOC’s Definition of Sexual Harassment 2011.12.27 1273
180 Employee vs. Independent Contractor – Seven Tips for Business Owners 2011.12.18 618
179 SB 459: Penalties for employers who misclassify employees as independent contractors. 2011.12.18 628
178 Pay Notices Required to be Provided New Employees as of 1/1/2012 2011.12.18 728
177 Overtime 수당은 누가 언제 받을 수 있을까요? 2011.11.28 662
176 미국내 회사들의 평균 Holiday는 얼마나 주고 있는것일까? 2011.12.01 685
175 Employee Benefits in US provided by DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics 2011.11.30 635
174 Unpaid Lunch Break & Paid Smoke Breaks? 2011.11.30 6083
173 이런 Benefit이 있다면? 2011.11.30 750
172 미국내 회사들의 평균 Holiday는 얼마나 주고 있는것일까? 2011.12.01 736
171 Unpaid Lunch Break & Paid Smoke Breaks? 2011.11.30 717
170 이런 Benefit이 있다면? 2011.11.30 724
169 Rate Your Vacation - 우리회사의 Vacation은 좋은 편인가? Benchmarking해보셔요! 2011.11.30 746
168 Exempt vs Non-Exempt Employees 2011.11.28 658
167 Exempt vs Non-Exempt Employees 2011.11.28 674
166 Litigation Cases - Misclassification (스타벅스의 OT관련 법적소송건- 3) 2011.11.28 764
165 Litigation Cases (Overtime을 주지 않는 salary로 잘못 구분한 경우의 법적 소송건- 2) 2011.11.28 784
164 Litigation Cases - Misclassification (Overtime을 주지 않는 salary로 구분한 경우의 법적 소송건) 2011.11.28 765
163 Misclassification의 경우 Penalty는 얼마나 될까? 2011.11.28 693
162 FLSA Status-직원 급여를 Hourly로 혹은 Salary로 주는것은 회사 재량일까? 2011.11.28 18143
161 NY State - New Release - effective 1/1/2012 2012.01.15 669
160 CA State - New Hire Requirement - Effective as of 1/1/2012 2012.01.15 705
159 Interview Question-Candidates should not be asked - 인터뷰시 하면 안되는 질문들!! 2011.12.26 652
158 Interview Question-Candidates may be asked - 인터뷰시 물어봐도 되는 질문들 2011.12.26 661
157 Hiring Interview할때 범하기 쉬운 5가지 실수 2011.12.26 672
156 Interview Question-Candidates should not be asked - 인터뷰시 하면 안되는 질문들!! 2011.12.06 797
155 Interview Question-Candidates may be asked - 인터뷰시 물어봐도 되는 질문들 2011.12.06 878
154 Common Interviewing Mistakes -인터뷰할 때 가장 범하기 쉬운 실수 5가지!! 2011.12.06 787
153 Employment Law Basics 2016.01.14 949
152 연령 차별' 해고 60대에 2600만달러 배상 2014.03.01 1346
151 McDonald's Restaurants of California, Inc. Settles EEOC Religious Discrimination Lawsuit 2013.12.27 1481
150 EEOC And Cooper University Health Care Reach Accord on Reasonable Accommodation Issues 2013.09.04 1812
149 Mississippi Holiday Inn Franchisee Sued by EEOC for Pregnancy Discrimination 2013.09.02 1517
148 AT&T to Pay Quarter Million Dollars to Settle EEOC Agen Disrimination Suit 2013.09.02 1682
147 BASF Corp. to Pay $500,000 to settle EEOC Retaliation Lawsuit Against Cognis 2013.06.08 1849
146 Stone Pony Pizza Sued for Race Discrimination 2013.06.08 1924
145 Panda Express Agrees to Early Settlement with EEOC to Resolve Sexual Harassment Suit 2013.06.08 1719
144 Joe-Ryan Enterprises to Pay $15K to Settle EEOC Sexual Harassment Lawsuit 2013.06.08 1729
143 $22.5 Million Verdict Reversed Where Employer Admitted Its Vicarious Liability For Employee’s Negligence 2013.05.28 1626
» Egg Giant National Food to Pay $650,000 to Settle EEOC Sexual Harassment Lawsuit 2013.05.26 1732
141 $192,500-EEOC settles Sex harassment and Retaliation Suit Against Grace Episcopal Church 2013.05.26 1584
140 No Such Thing as a Free Lunch: ConocoPhillips to pay $15.5 Million to Settle Meal Break Lawsuit 2013.03.03 1526
139 AT&T Workers Claim Lunch Break Violations 2013.03.03 1496
138 Article : Love Contract 2012.10.22 1295
137 Fremont Toyota Pays $400,000 to Settle EEOC's Harassment and Retaliation Lawsuit - Allegation 2012.08.19 1482
136 Fremont Toyota Pays $400,000 to Settle EEOC's Harassment and Retaliation Lawsuit -Press Release-08-07-12 2012.08.18 1468
135 Owner of 25 McDonald's Restaurants to Pay $1 Million in EEOC Sexual Harassment Suit 2012.08.04 1344
134 Comfort Inn Oceanfront South Sued By EEOC for Religious Discrimination 2012.08.04 1442
133 Caldwell Freight Lines to Pay $120K to Settle EEOC Race Discrimination Lawsuit 2012.08.04 1258
132 Wrongful Termination Lawsuits on the Rise 2012.07.07 843