DENVER (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has reached a $1,020,000 settlement with Vail Run Community Resort Association Inc. to resolve allegations of sexual harassment, national origin discrimination and retaliation.
Vail Run is a condominium complex in Vail, Colorado, and is managed by Global Hospitality Resorts Inc. The EEOC alleges Vail Run violated federal law by allowing housekeeping manager Omar Quezada to sexually harass Mexican female employees. Further charges state the defendants retaliated against men and women who complained about management harassment to the owners.
The Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD) initially handled the case, but when additional victims were found, it was transferred to EEOC.
"We are pleased that the critical investigative work that the Colorado Civil Rights Division conducted produced such important results for the state of Colorado and the nation," said Rufina A. Hernandez, director of the CCRD. "The partnership between EEOC and CCRD not only provides protection to all workers -- regardless of national origin -- but ensures that systemic issues of sexual harassment of immigrant workers will be aggressively enforced."
In addition to monetary relief for former employees, the consent decree calls for a Spanish-speaking monitor for up to five years to oversee decree implementation. The decree mandates substantial semiannual training for managers on sexual harassment.