BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced R.V. Associates Limited, doing business as Windsor Inn, will pay $200,000 after allegations of violating federal sexual harassment and retaliation laws.
"Unfortunately, sexual harassment remains a serious problem in the workplace, including the restaurant industry," said EEOC Philadelphia District director Spencer H. Lewis Jr. "EEOC is committed to ensuring that no employee is subjected to sexual advances or harassment in order to earn a living."
According to the EEOC, the restaurant owner sexually assaulted a female employee. Others harassed her as well, EEOC alleges, but the restaurant failed to stop the harassment. The alleged victim quit due to intolerable abuse. The restaurant owner also purportedly harassed other employees. Keysha Costley was suspended due to her rejection of his sexual advances, the EEOC says.
The alleged conduct of Windsor Inn violates Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. In addition to monetary relief, the defendants will be required to retain an independent monitor to assess any future complaints of harassment.
"We are pleased we were able to resolve this matter amicably,” said EEOC regional attorney Debra M. Lawrence. “The monetary relief will compensate the victims for the egregious sexual harassment they endured, and the equitable relief, in particular, the hiring of an independent monitor who will receive and handle any harassment or retaliation complaints, will protect the rights of all of the restaurant's employees."