WILMINGTON, North Carolina. (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against ABC Phones of North Carolina Inc., charging the company with subjecting a female employee to a sexually hostile work environment.
EEOC alleges Fredarika Bowden was a sales consultant at the company’s store in Lumberton, North Carolina when, in 2013, she was sexually harassed by a female coworker. A representative from management witnessed the purported harassment, and Bowden herself reported the harassment but the company failed to promptly stop it, EEOC charges.
Sexual harassment, a form of sex discrimination, violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
"Sexual harassment is illegal, regardless of whether the harasser is female or male, or the same or opposite gender as the victim," said Lynette A. Barnes, regional attorney of EEOC's Charlotte District Office. "When employees report a manager's or co-worker's inappropriate behavior, employers must immediately investigate the claims and take steps to stop the harassment."
EEOC aims to acquire back pay for Bowden as well as injunctive relief and compensatory and punitive damages.