ATLANTA -- A restaurant management company operating the Locos Grill & Pub, The Derby, Tavern House, and Central City Tavern brands of restaurants in Georgia will pay $20,000 and provide other relief to settle a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.
The EEOC’s suit charged that Locos Grill & Pub violated federal anti-discrimination law when a male cook made sexual advances toward a female cook. According to the EEOC’s complaint, the male cook made obscene physical displays to her and indecent propositions, and the female cook reported the sexual harassment to the company. After receiving her complaints, Locos Grill & Pub never again scheduled her for work, the EEOC said.
Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace and prohibits employers from firing, demoting, harassing or otherwise retaliating against employees because of complaints of discrimination or harassment. The EEOC filed suit against WRIG Management, LLC (Civil Action No. 1:20-cv-1707-LMM-CCB) in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement via its conciliation process.
Under the 18-month consent decree resolving the lawsuit, Locos will pay $20,000 in monetary damages to the female former employee. Locos also agreed to regular reporting, monitoring, annual training, distribution of anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies, and notice posting.
“Employers are responsible for preventing and remedying workplace harassment,” said Robert Weisberg, acting regional attorney for the EEOC’s Atlanta District Office. “Restaurant workers are particularly vulnerable to such abuse. Employers will be held responsible when they retaliate against employees who are brave enough to report harassment.”
Darrell Graham, district director of the Atlanta District Office, said, “We appreciate Locos’ cooperation in reaching an early resolution in this case and its willingness to conduct training and implement the safeguards outlined in the consent decree.”
The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov.
