by Patricia Schaeffer, Vice President-Regulatory Affairs
The EEOC announced that Rochester Highway Products will pay $375,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by the EEOC. The EEOC alleged that the owner, president, vice president and members of the sales staff sexually harassed 18 female employees, including four teenagers. The harassment included inappropriate touching, sexual advances and vulgar sexual comments.
The consent decree resolving the case was approved on May 13, 2008, by the U.S. District Judge Michael A. Telesca, and provided $375,000 to 18 victims of the harassment and injunctive relief including anti-discrimination training and monitoring. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York on August 22, 2006 (Civil Action No. 06 CV 6426), after the agency investigated, found that discrimination occurred, and first attempted to reach a voluntary settlement.