LOS ANGELES — A federal government lawsuit against a third party call center and technology services company has been settled for $3.5 million, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
A consent decree between the EEOC and Alorica, Inc., has been approved by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. The lawsuit stemmed from allegations that Alorica subjected male and female customer services employees to a sexually hostile work environment and harassment, according to the EEOC.
"While no one should have to experience harassment on the job, I commend the women and men who bravely came forward in this case and brought their experience of harassment to the EEOC," EEOC acting chair Victoria Lipnic said in a statement.
"Sexual harassment continues to be a pressing issue in our region, and we urge employers to take more proactive measures to prevent such misconduct," added EEOC Los Angeles District regional attorney Anna Park.
The $3.5 million settlement will be distributed among the class of sexual harassment victims from the Fresno and Clovis, California, facilities. Alorica also will hire a third-party monitor and create an internal equal employment opportunity consultant and internal compliance officer, the EEOC said.