RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced Mayflower Seafood in Goldsboro, N.C., will pay $81,500 after allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation.
EEOC alleged Liza Hill, who worked as a server and cashier at the restaurant, was subjected to offensive sexual comments and sexual touching on a regular basis by a male manager and several male kitchen workers. The alleged harassment occurred throughout 2013. According to EEOC, Hill complained to a supervisor but the harassment did not end. Hill went on to file criminal charges. In response, the restaurant allegedly reduced her hours and eventually removed her from the work schedule.
Alleged conduct of this nature violates Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which bans employers from retaliating against employees in the workplace. Mayflower agreed to a two-year consent decree that mandates sexual harassment and retaliation training for all employees, including managers and supervisors.
"Punishing employees who oppose discriminatory employment practices violates federal law and only makes a bad situation worse," said Lynette A. Barnes, regional attorney for EEOC's Charlotte District office. "We are pleased that Mayflower has agreed to provide training to its supervisors and managers as part of its efforts to ensure that retaliation does not occur in its workplace."