SEATTLE — An employee at a Washington state assisted living care facility alleges she was subjected to same-sex sexual harassment by a supervisor, according a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Agency (EEOC).
According to an EEOC investigation, a female employee at The Hampton at Salmon Creek, owned by Koelsch Senior Communities LLC, was subjected to sexual harassment by her female supervisor who allegedly commented on the female employee's clothing, asked for foot massages and discussed her interest in extramarital affairs and sexual bondage.
In one instance, the supervisor closed the door behind the female employee and told her she desired to rub the employee's buttocks, the EEOC said. Despite the female employee's complaints about the harassment, Koelsch failed to do a proper investigation, the EEOC alleges.
"Whether committed by a female or male against someone who is the same sex or opposite sex, the law is very clear - employers must take action to stop and prevent sexual harassment," EEOC Seattle field director Nancy Sienko said in a statement.
"As we know all too well in the #MeToo era, employers who fail to investigate harassment allegations or make excuses for 'high-value' workers accused of harassment do so at their own peril," added EEOC senior trial attorney Carmen Flores.
The EEOC seeks compensatory damages and injunctive relief, including anti-discrimination law training, posting of notices and compliance reporting.