Facts

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a complaint against Braun Electric Co. relating to civil rights and employment discrimination.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
The EEOC alleged that Braun subjected female employees to sexual harassment. The EEOC alleged that the sexual harassment included a male supervisor subjecting certain female employees to sexually offensive comments and using derogatory terms towards these females on a frequent basis.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Braun denied the allegations of the EEOC's claims.

Result

On Oct. 15, 2014, the court entered a consent degree based on a stipulation of the parties. Pursuant to the consent decree Braun was ordered to pay a total of $82,500. Braun was also ordered not to engage in any gender discrimination or permit a hostile work environment towards female employees. Braun was further ordered to retain an EEOC "Monitor" to assist Braun in a number of areas relating to anti-discrimination and complying with its duties under the consent decree. Braun was also ordered to review and revise, as necessary, its policies and procedures relating to discrimination and harassment and provide related training. The consent decree will last for three years. Additionally, Braun was ordered to provide training regarding harassment/discrimination and will provide annual reports to the EEOC.