Billboard Manufacturer Settles Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

O'Fallon, MOA workplace harassment case alleging sexual harassment appears to have been settled with an agreement by the defendant in the case to pay $55,000. According to a 7/6/10 statement, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) brought the lawsuit after a failed initial attempt to reach a voluntary settlement through conciliation.

According to the text of the lawsuit, a high-level manager employed by Trinity Products Inc. harassed his female assistant through the use of offensive language, gestures and requests for sexual favors.

When the woman complained to other supervisors about the conduct of her immediate superior, the defendant is alleged to have sought to replace her. The plaintiff was discharged amidst what she described as a hostile work environment.

It is not known if the settlement involved any change in the status of the individual defendant, or whether the plaintiff was offered her old job back. In addition to the financial settlement, Trinity Products Inc. was required to distribute a notice on employees' rights under federal antidiscrimination laws, provide sexual harassment training to all managers, and permit the EEOC to inspect records of internal complaints of such harassment. The decree will remain in effect for two years.

"Federal law mandates a workplace free from sexual harassment and retaliation for reporting such misconduct," said Barbara A. Seely, regional attorney of the EEOC's St. Louis District. "All employers must ensure that employees work in a safe environment without fear of retribution for bringing concerns of unlawful activity to the attention of management."

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits sexual harassment and retaliation against those who report it.

Trinity Products, Inc., a manufacturer of billboards and signposts is based in O'Fallon, Missouri. The EEOC statement was sent via US Fed News.