• 02
  • December
    2011

Victims of sexual harassment in the workplace range from all ages, gender, race and religion. Under California law, it is illegal to place an employee in a position where they feel threatened, uncomfortable or pressured through sexual behavior, innuendo or any other similarly oriented behavior.

While anyone can be a victim, minorities are often targeted by their employer. Hispanic women at an Oxnard-based flower corporation were targeted by those higher up in the company. In a lawsuit filed by the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claims were made that the women were consistently harassed by supervisors, a manager and the company's owner.

According to the suit, the women were groped and sexually propositioned by those who were supposed to keep standards and protect their employees. The EEOC called it a pattern of harassment by those named in the suit.

Harassment was not the only employment law violation the lawsuit accused the employer of committing. The lawsuit reported that those who complained of the harassment, including one male employee who tried to stand up for the women, were retaliated against.

The orchid growing corporation decided to settle the suit out of court and agreed to pay $200,000. As a part of the settlement, the corporation also agreed to a requirement that an equal employment opportunity coordinator be assigned. The settlement was announced on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011.

If you believe that a supervisor, manager or any other person in a position of power has sexually harassed you, it is important that you consult an employment attorney. Many people fear losing their job if they speak up about the harassment, but that is a fear they do not need to suffer with. California law and employment attorneys protect employees from employer retaliation.

Source: The Republic, "Calif. orchid grower paying $200K to settle EEOC sexual harassment, discrimination suit," Nov. 29, 2011