Golden Entertainment, Inc., formerly at the helm of Maryland's Rocky Gap Casino, has agreed to shell out $100,000 and roll out an anti-sexual harassment training for staff after settling a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The legal battle was sparked by allegations that a male bartender's inappropriate behavior, which reportedly included unsolicited sexual remarks and unwelcome physical contact, was not properly addressed by management.
Despite a female bartender's attempts to immediately report the harassment, she found herself continuously scheduled to work alongside her harasser. The casino's initial response was to not only fail to properly discipline the male bartender but to also move the female employee to a decidedly less profitable work area, an action which she perceived as retaliation and which ultimately drove her to resign. According to the lawsuit, these actions directly contravene Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which clearly prohibits discrimination based on sex.
The announcement from the EEOC detailed the steps Golden Entertainment is now required to take, including the crafting of a new, rigorous sexual harassment policy and heightened reporting and investigating procedures. On top of the monetary compensation for the victim, the company will be closely monitored and must report back to the EEOC concerning how future complaints are handled.
"Sexual harassment is common in the hospitality industry, and managers of these businesses must be vigilant in protecting employees," EEOC Regional Attorney Debra M. Lawrence sternly warned. In a tune that resonated with accountability, Baltimore Field Office Director Rosemarie Rhodes added, "When there is a report of sexual harassment, the employer must to thoroughly conduct an investigation." Their collective statements underscore the EEOC's commitment to uprooting workplace inequality and harassment.
The legal staff of the Philadelphia District EEOC, which holds jurisdiction over several states including Maryland, have prosecuted similar cases in the district. The outcome of the Golden Entertainment case sends a resolute message to employers not only in the hospitality sector but to all workplaces: sexual harassment and retaliatory actions have no place in a just work environment.
