Following are just a few examples of the damage that a single employment practices liability lawsuit can cause.

Sexual Harassment

A male security officer hit a local security company with a lawsuit claiming sexual harassment. The claimant alleged that a male manager would regularly and repeatedly sexually harass him by touching him on the chest and stomach while stating different sexual phrases to him. He further alleged that his employer failed to investigate or take any corrective action concerning his allegations. The employer did in fact investigate the claim, and the manager was eventually terminated. In some states, strict liability can apply to certain situations such as this, meaning the employer is liable for the actions of its managers, even if no one was aware that improper behavior was taking place. This matter cost the security company $400,000 to resolve.

Sexual Harassment

Two former female employees who alleged they had been sexually harassed sued a manufacturer of housewares and assorted products. The former employees claimed they were offended by the comments contained in a radio broadcast played in the office by co-workers. According to the claimants, the co-workers continued to listen to the particular radio station despite repeated requests to turn it off or change the station. Although employers often allow personal radios to be played in the workplace, they might not expect claims of sexual harassment to arise from such a seemingly innocuous circumstance. Monitor paid more than $325,000 to resolve this matter.

Discrimination

A class action lawsuit was filed against a major consumer retail products corporation. The claimants, all women, alleged that the corporation discriminated against them by requiring a strength test at its meat packing plant in Iowa. According to the EEOC, which filed the suit on behalf of the women, roughly 60 percent of women failed the test while nearly all men passed it. An Iowa jury found intentional discrimination and a U.S. district judge upheld the decision and awarded $3.4 million in damages to the 52 plaintiffs.