EEOC Settles Sexual Harassment Suit for $2.3 Million

The New York District Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced that it had entered into a Consent Decree in a sexual harassment case under which four former female employees and their private counsel will receive $2.3 million from Simat, Helliesen & Eichner and Reed Telepublishing. EEOC v. Simat, Helliesen & Eichner, 97 Civ. 7168; Tesoro v. Simat, Helliesen & Eichner, 97 Civ. 7176.

In the lawsuits, the EEOC alleged that the former president of Simat, Helliesen & Eicher harassed female employees in its New York office, which resulted in a hostile work environment. The EEOC also alleged that the companies failed to take prompt and appropriate action to end the harassment.

The Consent Decree requires the companies to conduct intensive sexual harassment training for their managers and employees. The EEOC's Regional Attorney in New York, Katherine Bissell, stated: 'The EEOC takes very seriously allegations of sexual harassment, particularly when the accused harasser is a high-level executive, as is the case in this lawsuit.'

Spencer Lewis, the director of the New York District Office of the EEOC, said, 'The EEOC wants to ensure that every individual has the freedom to compete in the workplace on a level playing field ' regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age or disability. Employers in general, and the American economy in particular, benefit when every employee has the full opportunity to achieve his or her fullest potential.'

The New York District Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced that it had entered into a Consent Decree in a sexual harassment case under which four former female employees and their private counsel will receive $2.3 million from Simat, Helliesen & Eichner and Reed Telepublishing. EEOC v. Simat, Helliesen & Eichner, 97 Civ. 7168; Tesoro v. Simat, Helliesen & Eichner, 97 Civ. 7176.

In the lawsuits, the EEOC alleged that the former president of Simat, Helliesen & Eicher harassed female employees in its New York office, which resulted in a hostile work environment. The EEOC also alleged that the companies failed to take prompt and appropriate action to end the harassment.

The Consent Decree requires the companies to conduct intensive sexual harassment training for their managers and employees. The EEOC's Regional Attorney in New York, Katherine Bissell, stated: 'The EEOC takes very seriously allegations of sexual harassment, particularly when the accused harasser is a high-level executive, as is the case in this lawsuit.'

Spencer Lewis, the director of the New York District Office of the EEOC, said, 'The EEOC wants to ensure that every individual has the freedom to compete in the workplace on a level playing field ' regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age or disability. Employers in general, and the American economy in particular, benefit when every employee has the full opportunity to achieve his or her fullest potential.'