NORFOLK, Va. — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has reached a settlement with Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, Inc., over charges the company fired a female employee after she complained of being subjected to crude sexual comments and gestures from a male co-worker.
According to the EEOC, Massimo will pay $65,000 and other relief to settle the agency's sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against the company. The EEOC alleged a temporary worker at the company's roasting facility in Suffolk, Virginia, was subjected to requests for sex and sexual favors and then retaliated against when she reported the harassment.
"Employers must take appropriate action to stop harassment of all employees, including temporary workers," EEOC Charlotte District regional attorney Kara Haden said in a statement. "We hope this case sends a clear message that the EEOC will hold accountable employers who fail to protect all employees from workplace harassment."
The settlement also includes Massimo conducting annual training for its Suffolk employees regarding Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and providing reports to the EEOC, according to the commission.