Fagerberg Produce, inc., a local Colorado business, will pay $500,000 to five complainants and other aggrieved parties for sexual harassment. A former manager at the Eaton-based onion grower was the focus of the accusations.
What was the issue?
The complaint, which was filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), claimed that employees were subjected to unwelcome sexual harassment, retaliation, and different terms and conditions of their work environment in violation of Federal Law.
The settlement
In addition to the settlement money, Fagerberg will take numerous steps to prevent harassment going forward by taking extra initiative investigating every complaint and retaining an external, bilingual consultant to ensure employees are properly trained. The company will also be working with an appointed EEO officer to ensure compliance.
“We thank Fagerberg Produce for cooperating with EEOC in reaching an early resolution,” said Amy Burkholder, director of the EEOC’s Denver Field Office, in a press release. “This type of significant relief for vulnerable workers is a priority for the Commission.”
Victims can fight back
Being subject to sexual harassment in the workplace is a degrading, helpless experience. The feeling of being harassed at place your safety should be guaranteed is dehumanizing. Additionally, you may be hesitant to speak up out of fear for retaliation.
Thankfully, victims don’t have to suffer in silence. With the help of an experienced sexual harassment lawyer, you can file a complaint with the EEOC to hold your employer accountable and obtain damages for the injuries you’ve suffered.
