Same-Sex Sexual Harassment Prompts EEOC to File Lawsuit By Dan Atkerson on April 04, 2016

ABC Phones of North Carolina, Inc. recently received a call they surely didn’t want when the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) filed a same-sex sexual harassment lawsuit against them.

According to the lawsuit, a former employee at ABC Phones was sexually harassed by another woman over a long period. Despite her numerous complaints to management about the harassment and reports that some supervising managers even witnessed the harassment, nothing was done to stop the sexual harassment from continuing.

The plaintiff alleges that she was subjected to inappropriate touching, jokes, and sexual comments at the hands of another female employee. These kinds of acts are all examples of sexual harassment, which is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

After failing to reach a settlement deal with the company, the EEOC has decided to file suit. They are seeking back pay for the plaintiff as well as compensatory and punitive damages against the company for their part in the harassment.

It is the duty of any company to protect their employees from acts of sexual harassment by immediately investigating claims and stopping any harassment they find. By failing to do so, ABC Phones allowed a hostile work environment continue to drain one of their employees.

How to Deal with Same-Sex Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is defined by a person’s actions, not their gender. It does not matter whether the victim or perpetrator is male or female.

If you are a victim of sexual harassment, you should file a complaint with your human resources department. If no changes are made, you may want to consider contacting an employment attorney. Make sure to save any written or electronic communication you have with the person harassing you.

Dallas, TX sexual harassment lawyer Dan A. Atkerson is committed to helping people who suffer sexual harassment in the workplace put a stop to it.