Despite greater attention being paid to worker mistreatment in North Carolina and across the United States, many workplaces are still rife with various illegal behaviors. This can include harassment, discrimination, failure to pay proper wages, not granting workers the time off they are entitled to, wrongful termination and more. When people come forward about how their employee rights were violated, it can be helpful to have backup from the federal government. One recent case involving allegations of egregious sexual harassment is indicative of how the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission can be helpful.
Plastics company faces major lawsuit for sexual harassment
A woman who worked at a manufacturing plant for a plastics company filed a lawsuit saying she was discriminated against and faced sexual harassment on the job. The EEOC has also taken a role in the case. According to the plaintiff, when she got the job in 2018, she was told there was a supervisor who was “flirtatious” with a history of trying to date and have intimate relationships with colleagues. He was not her supervisor, but she did need to interact with him during workdays.
He began giving her relatively innocuous gifts like flowers. The behavior grew increasingly aggressive. He asked her to go out with him, but she said she was engaged. It extended into inappropriate touching, buying unwelcome intimate gifts and showing her sex-based items. She and another woman reported him in 2019, but the company did not act. She left the job shortly thereafter. She says the discrimination stems from the company not doing anything to tamp down on his activities. The EEOC is a federal agency whose role it is to make sure discrimination in the workplace is addressed and stopped. Since the company failed to adhere to its responsibilities, the EEOC is stepping in. The woman is asking for $100,000 in her claim.
Workers have the right to a harassment-free environment
People who are debating whether to come forward with allegations of employee rights violations must know that they should be able to work without fear of discrimination or harassment. If these issues arise and there is uncertainty of what to do, it is useful to have professional guidance as to how to move forward. In some cases, the EEOC might even get involved. Regardless of the circumstances, workers who were mistreated should know how to gather evidence, take the necessary steps and file a claim. A qualified professional in employment law cases may be able to help.