Facts

When the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received complaints about possible sexual harassment at the Pacific Culinary Group and CB Foods' Monterey Park location, it investigated and determined the claims were prosecutable. After a failed attempt at a resolution through the EEOC's voluntary conciliation process, the EEOC brought a lawsuit on behalf of food production workers--some with limited English language skills--in the USDC Central.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended that defendants' chief operating officer sexually harassed the employees by, for example, making unwelcome sexual advances and comments about their appearances. Despite the complaints, defendants failed to address the situation, allowing it to foster.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS: Defendants denied all material claims.

Result

The case settled for $245,000 along with injunctive relief which included reviewing and revising policies and procedures to ensure Title VII compliance; ensuring discrimination, harassment, and retaliation training of employees; and auditing to ensure employee accountability.