North Arkansas Dollar Store Manager Accused of Sexual Harassment
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: September 27, 2012
A Dollar General store in Bull Shoals (Marion County), violated federal law by subjecting female employees to sexual harassment by a male store manager, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit it filed today.
The EEOC's suit against Dollar General (Case No. 3:12-cv-03128-PKH filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Harrison Division) asserts that Dollar General failed to take action to stop the sexual harassment by a store manager against women after complaints were made about his behavior. The EEOC's investigation revealed that two female workers were being sexually harassed in the form of improper comments and requests for sexual favors.
Sexual harassment violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed suit after first attempting to reach a voluntary settlement. The suit seeks monetary relief in the form of compensatory and punitive damages and an injunction against future discrimination.
The EEOC has asked the court to grant a permanent injunction enjoining Dollar General from engaging in any further employment practice that discriminates against female employees because of their gender. The EEOC has also asked the court to provide compensatory and punitive damages.
"Companies who do not take action in the face of sexual harassment complaints bear the consequences of their actions. They must take effective action to enforce their sexual harassment policies to ensure that the workplace is free of sexual harassment," said Katharine W. Kores, district director of the EEOC's Memphis District Office, which has jurisdiction over Arkansas, Tennessee, and portions of Mississippi. "Sexual harassment is particularly disturbing when it involves a management employee who is sexually harassing his subordinates."
Dollar General Corporation is headquartered in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, and is a retailer of basic consumer goods. According to company information, Dollar General Corporation has 88,593 employees and 10,000 stores in 40 states across the United States.
The EEOC's suit against Dollar General (Case No. 3:12-cv-03128-PKH filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Harrison Division) asserts that Dollar General failed to take action to stop the sexual harassment by a store manager against women after complaints were made about his behavior. The EEOC's investigation revealed that two female workers were being sexually harassed in the form of improper comments and requests for sexual favors.
Sexual harassment violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed suit after first attempting to reach a voluntary settlement. The suit seeks monetary relief in the form of compensatory and punitive damages and an injunction against future discrimination.
The EEOC has asked the court to grant a permanent injunction enjoining Dollar General from engaging in any further employment practice that discriminates against female employees because of their gender. The EEOC has also asked the court to provide compensatory and punitive damages.
"Companies who do not take action in the face of sexual harassment complaints bear the consequences of their actions. They must take effective action to enforce their sexual harassment policies to ensure that the workplace is free of sexual harassment," said Katharine W. Kores, district director of the EEOC's Memphis District Office, which has jurisdiction over Arkansas, Tennessee, and portions of Mississippi. "Sexual harassment is particularly disturbing when it involves a management employee who is sexually harassing his subordinates."
Dollar General Corporation is headquartered in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, and is a retailer of basic consumer goods. According to company information, Dollar General Corporation has 88,593 employees and 10,000 stores in 40 states across the United States.
