The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Pei Wei Asian Diner, LLC after the company allowed the sexually inappropriate conduct of two managers to go on unchecked for nearly two years. The filing alleged that the company neglected to address the complaints of several female teen and young adult employees that were subjected to sexual harassment and a sexually hostile work environment. The harassing behavior, which lead two female employees to quit their jobs, was perpetrated by a male general manager and a male kitchen manager.
According to the lawsuit, the company had been aware of complaints against the kitchen manager since early 2016, allowing the treatment to continue through early December 2017. Similar complaints about the kitchen manager also went unaddressed.
The EEOC Lawsuit
Having failed to reach an agreeable settlement with the company, the EEOC filed Civil Action in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas Western Division, which seeks compensatory and punitive damages, back pay, and lost benefits. The suit also calls for the court to order measures to prevent future discrimination.
Sexual harassment violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Employers have an obligation to their employees to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory work environment. That is to say that the company must respond to discrimination complaints, such as those posed by sexual and other types of harassment, and faithfully perform a thorough investigation into the allegations. Furthermore, if they allegations are verified, the employer has a responsibility to remedy the situation and ensure that the mistreatment ends.
The EEOC supports efforts to pursue justice in cases of sexual harassment of employees, hostile work environment accusations, and all complaints of workplace discrimination. The organization’s Youth@Work initiative offers support particular to teens and young adults in the form of education and outreach.
Philadelphia Sexual Harassment Lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. Support Victims of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
If you have been the object of sexual harassment at work and management does not take your complaints seriously, you may have a case against the company for maintaining a hostile work environment. If you think you may have a case against your employer, speak to the Philadelphia sexual harassment lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. For a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 215-569-1999 today. Located in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey, we represent clients throughout Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, northeast Philadelphia, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, and throughout South Jersey.
