Know Your Rights: How Federal Law Protects Against Sexual Harassment

The recent case involving East Jordan Plastics and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a powerful reminder of a fundamental right for all employees: the right to a workplace free from sexual harassment. The company's settlement of $460,000 and other required actions highlights a key piece of legislation, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

What is Title VII?

Title VII is a federal law that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This includes protection from sexual harassment, which is a form of sex discrimination. The law makes it illegal for an employer to allow a "hostile work environment" to exist, which is a workplace where offensive, severe, or frequent harassing conduct makes it difficult for an employee to do their job.

In the case of East Jordan Plastics, the EEOC's lawsuit alleged that a male co-worker sexually harassed a class of female employees at the company's Beaverton, Michigan location. This harassment included offensive sexual comments and inappropriate touching.

Despite receiving at least two complaints from different women, the company took no disciplinary action against the harasser. The lawsuit alleged that the harassment continued until a third female employee complained, at which point the company finally investigated and fired the male employee.

The Role of the EEOC

The EEOC is the federal agency responsible for enforcing Title VII and other anti-discrimination laws. When a company is accused of violating these laws, the EEOC can file a lawsuit on behalf of the affected employees, as it did in the East Jordan Plastics case.

Often, these lawsuits are resolved through a consent decree. A consent decree is a legally binding agreement between the company and the EEOC that settles the dispute without the company admitting guilt. In the East Jordan Plastics settlement, the company agreed to pay a monetary settlement and also to take specific actions to prevent future harassment.

This is where another key term, injunctive and affirmative relief, comes in. This type of relief requires a company to take specific actions to remedy the issue. In this case, East Jordan Plastics has to provide anti-harassment training to its employees, report to the EEOC on how it handles future complaints, and post a notice about the settlement and employees' rights. This ensures the company doesn't just pay a fine but also implements changes to prevent future harm.

Key Takeaway

The East Jordan Plastics case shows that employers have a responsibility to address sexual harassment in the workplace. When they fail to take action after being made aware of harassment, they can be held accountable by the EEOC. If you ever experience or witness sexual harassment at work, remember that you have rights, and there are federal agencies like the EEOC to help you enforce them.

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