The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced the settlement of a retaliation lawsuit against Adecco USA Inc. for $62,500. 

The EEOC’s lawsuit (Civil Action No. 106CV124 BSJ) filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, Northern Division, charged that Adecco disciplined and fired Jeffrey A. Byard, a former office supervisor for Adecco’s Clearfield, Utah, office, because he spoke out in support of his supervisor when she complained of sexual harassment by her boss. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it unlawful to retaliate against an employee because he testified, assisted, or participated in a proceeding protected that law. This settlement comes after several years of litigation. Mr. Byard was fired in March of 2003.

In addition to the monetary relief for Mr. Byard, Adecco agreed to other relief, including training on the law against retaliation.