Goodwill to Pay 850,000 Dollars in Settlement of Sexual Harassment Case
Sep 20, 2018
Los Angeles, CA (Law Firm Newswire) September 20, 2018 – To settle a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit, Goodwill Industries of the East Bay Area and its affiliate Calidad Industries Inc. will pay $850,000 to eight former and current employees.
The suit, which was filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), alleged that six female janitors working the night shift at the Oakland Federal Building were continuously sexually harassed by their direct supervisor. Some of the janitors were young, new to the workforce and had developmental disabilities. The suit also claims two managers suffered retaliation for supporting the janitors’ complaints.
In addition to the compensation for the former and current workers, the employers must amend their EEO policies; create supervisory accountability measures for discrimination issues; provide training to their employees and hire a consultant to oversee the actions taken following future claims.
“The #MeToo movement illustrates that sexual harassment impacts people across industries, from white collar to blue collar work, across class, race, age, gender and abilities,” said EEOC San Francisco District Director William R. Tamayo. “In this case, there were many factors that contributed to the vulnerability of these janitors – all were African-American, many were young females new to the workplace, with disabilities, working the isolated night shift.”
Betsy Havens, executive director of Los Angeles employment law firm Strong Advocates, knows the prevalence of harassment and the power in speaking out against it. “Far too many people carry with them a sexual harassment story either told or untold,” Havens said. “No one should have to withstand harassment in the workplace or anywhere else.”
Experienced sexual harassment on the job? Contact Strong Advocates to learn how you can fight back.
Strong Advocates
6080 Center Drive, Suite 600
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Phone: (310) 504-1490
