Company to Pay $172,000 to Resolve EEOC Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Charges

SAN ANTONIO – Ross Scalise Beeler Pillischer Employment Lawyers successfully represented four plaintiffs who brought forth sexual harassment and retaliation charges to the EEOC against a large horticultural grower in the United States. The company has agreed to pay $172,000 in monetary relief and implement extensive injunctive measures to resolve findings of sex discrimination and retaliation by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in a conciliation agreement.

The conciliation follows an EEOC investigation into charges indicating that a supervisor at the company’s central Texas location subjected female employees to sexual harassment and created a sexually hostile work environment over an extended period.

The investigation further revealed that, after complaining about the harassment, the employees faced retaliation, undermining the company’s equal employment opportunity (EEO) policies and complaint procedures. Such conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination, including sexual harassment, and retaliation for engaging in a protected activity.

The company disputed the allegations but cooperated with the EEOC during its investigation. The organization emphasizes its commitment to ensuring that all employees are provided with a safe workplace free from discrimination and retaliation.

Under the three-year conciliation agreement settling the charges, the company will pay $172,000 in monetary damages. Additionally, the company agreed to reinforce its non-discrimination and non-retaliation policies; revise and implement an effective complaint procedure; distribute and post an equal employment opportunity non-discrimination notice in English and Spanish; and conduct sex discrimination and retaliation training for all employees at its Austin location.

“Sexual harassment remains a persistent problem among horticulture and agriculture workers, especially those with limited English proficiency,” said the field director of the EEOC’s San Antonio Field Office. “Protecting vulnerable workers remains a priority for EEOC, and employers should not relinquish its responsibility or oversight to ensure a work environment free of harassment and retaliation. This oversight is especially important when a supervisor in a position of authority routinely works unsupervised; allowed to hire and work directly with close friends and family members, creating the potential for non-compliance.”

Ross • Scalise Employment Lawyers is committed to helping workers by upholding the law and holding companies accountable for their actions. If your employer has discriminated against you, harassed you, retaliated against you for complaining about illegal actions, stolen your wages, or otherwise wronged you, take a stand. You can start by talking to a seasoned Austin employment lawyer at our firm today.