FRESNO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Dec. 21 that South County Support Services and Southwest Transportation Agency in California will pay $89,691 to settle allegations of sex discrimination.
According to EEOC, an executive administrative assistant was sexually harassed by her supervisor. The alleged ongoing misconduct forced the assistant to file a restraining order. Mere days after she filed the complaint, the defendants purportedly discharged her. EEOC charged that the defendants were liable for the harassment and retaliated against her for filing the complaint. Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The defendants did not admit liability, but agreed to enter a three-year conciliation agreement with EEOC and the alleged victim. The defendants will designate an equal employment opportunity consultant to ensure effective training for all employees on Title VII.
"Under no circumstances is harassment acceptable in the workplace, and employees have the right to report such abuses without fear of reprisal," said Melissa Barrios, director of the EEOC's Fresno Local Office. "We commend South County Support Services for working with the EEOC to ensure that employees are protected and encouraged to report harassment in the workplace.”