PRESS RELEASE
8-6-09

Seven Women Abused by Co-Workers, Federal Agency Charged

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Georgetown, Ky., restaurant will pay $60,000 and furnish other relief to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.

According to the EEOC’s suit, seven female employees at the Golden Corral Buffet & Grill were sexually harassed by male co-workers who verbally abused the women and rubbed against them. The company (Golden Ranch, Inc.) did nothing to stop or prevent the abuse, the EEOC said.

Sexual harassment violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed suit in the Eastern District of Kentucky at Lexington, Civil Action No. 5:08-cv-00239-JBC, after first attempting to reach a voluntary settlement.

Golden Ranch agreed to a three-year consent decree in which it will pay a total of $60,000 to the seven harassment victims. The company also agreed to establish policies and pro­cedures that prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace. It also agreed to train all employees and managers on the laws prohibiting sexual harassment in the workplace and to provide status reports to the EEOC concerning its training of its employees throughout the decree’s duration.

“While it should be clear by now to all employers that sexual harassment will not be tolerated, some employers continue to ignore the law,” said Laurie Young, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Indianapolis District Office. “Employers should be on notice that the EEOC will act aggressively to protect employees from this kind of abuse in the workplace.”

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on the agency’s web site at www.eeoc.gov.