Educominc, LLC, doing business as Pizza Pub in
Buffalo, Oklahoma, will pay $40,000 to settle a sexual harassment
lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(EEOC).
The EEOC had alleged that the manager of Pizza Pub had subjected an
18-year old female worker to physical touching and verbal comments of a
sexual nature, including telling her that he wanted to lick frosting
off her body. The employee objected to his behavior but when it
continued, she quit her job.
The proposed consent decree was filed in U.S. District Court for the
Western District of Oklahoma (Cause No. 09-1007). In addition to paying
$40,000 in backpay and damages to the former employee, Pizza Pub agreed
to a five year consent decree which includes training of employees as
to the requirements of Title VII and the posting of a notice that will
notify employees of their rights. The consent decree also applies to
Core Curriculum of America, Inc. and Curriculum Solutions, Inc.,
companies which are closely related to Educominc, LLC.
“Teenage workers are especially vulnerable to sexual harassment in
the workplace and must be protected. The EEOC will remain vigilant in
its enforcement of federal laws prohibiting such discrimination in the
workplace,” said Barbara A. Seely, regional attorney of the EEOC’s St.
Louis District Office, which is responsible for the agency’s litigation
in Oklahoma.