Texas Events Business to Pay $20K to Settle Harassment, Retaliation Case

A Texas company agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by federal employment officials that alleged the firm’s owner subjected a female employee to sexist comments, then fired her for complaining about the owner’s actions.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) said Great Rentals and Events LLC, doing business as Great Events, a San Antonio special events company which provides services for weddings and corporate functions, will pay $20,000 and furnish significant equitable relief to settle the federal sex-based harassment and retaliation suit.

According to the suit, the company’s owner repeatedly subjected a female employee to comments that were demeaning to women, including sexual comments and other remarks that expressed hostility towards women in the workplace. After the employee sought the help of human resources, the owner fired her in retaliation for her complaints, the EEOC charged.

Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on sex, including harassment. Title VII also prohibits employers from retaliating against an employee because she opposed discrimination or harassment. The EEOC filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division (EEOC v. Great Rentals and Events, LLC, Case No. 5:20-cv-448), after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.

The consent decree resolving the case provides the former employee with back pay and compensatory damages of $20,000. The decree also provides for injunctive relief, including anti-discrimination training and posting of notices in the workplace.

Source: EEOC

Topics Texas