BOSTON — A New Jersey-based fishery and a Massachusetts staffing agency have agreed to settle claims by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that the companies subjected female workers to "egregious" sexual harassment by male managers, supervisors and co-workers.
According to the EEOC, Atlantic Capes Fisheries, Inc. (ACF) and BJ's Service Co., Inc. subjected female workers to ongoing unwanted touching, sexual propositions and crude comments about their bodies. The companies failed to act on the sexual harassment complaints and even fired two of the female employees who filed charges with the EEOC, the agency said.
"Even in the era of the 'Me Too,' movement, many employees, especially low-wage and immigrant workers, fear bringing complaints of sex harassment forward," EEOC senior trial attorney Sara Smolik said in a statement. "The brave four women who filed discrimination charges with the EEOC in this case alerted the agency to widespread sex harassment that was adversely affecting them and many of their female co-workers in the facility. Because they had the courage to step forward, the EEOC was able to investigate and bring this lawsuit to improve the working conditions for everyone."
"All employers should be aware that they have a responsibility to prevent sexual harassment of their employees," added EEOC New York District director Kevin Berry. "Employers must also make sure that they have multiple avenues for employees to complain about harassment and that those avenues of complaint are clear and shared with all staff."
The settlement includes the companies paying $675,000 and retraining its employees on handling sexual harassment claims, the EEOC said.