HONOLULU (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Feb. 15 against three related Hawaii tour companies for allegations of sexual harassment of male employees.
"Harassment is alleged in 31 percent all charges filed with the EEOC,” said Glory Gervacio Saure, director of the EEOC's Honolulu local office. “When employers fail to address workplace harassment, employees often feel that they must choose between putting up with the abuse or quitting. No one should have to make that choice."
The three companies are Discovering Hidden Hawaii Tours Inc., Hawaii Tours and Transportation Inc. and Big Kahuna Luau Inc. According to allegations, the president of these companies sexually harassed male employees for more than a decade. When employees purportedly complained about the harassment, the company did not take action. Alleged conduct of this nature violates Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
"All employees, regardless of gender, have the right to work in a harassment-free workplace and should never be forced to endure such abuse," said Anna Park, regional attorney for the EEOC's Los Angeles District, which includes Hawaii in its jurisdiction. "I applaud these young men for coming forward to tell their stories."