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The ABC Cake Shop & Bakery in Albuquerque,  which is owned and operated by Early Bird Management Group, LLC, has agreed to  settle a sex discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment  Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for $220,000.

The EEOC's lawsuit, EEOC v. Early Bird Management Group, LLC  d/b/a ABC Cake Shop & Bakery, 11-CV-799 JCH/RDS, charged that an owner  of ABC subjected female employees, including some teenagers, to sexual  harassment.  The sexually offensive conduct  included sexual comments, innuendo and unwanted touching. The EEOC's suit also  alleged that some women were forced to quit their jobs because of the sexual  harassment.

Sex discrimination, including  sexual harassment, violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  The EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court  for the District of New Mexico after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation  settlement through its concili­ation process.

At least 19 women are  expected to receive relief through the consent decree settling the suit.  In addition to the substantial monetary  relief, the decree prohibits ABC from further discriminating or retaliating  against its employees and requires it to implement policies and practices that  will provide its employees a work environment free of sex discrimination and  retaliation.  ABC also agreed to provide  the harmed women with letters of reference and apology letters.  Finally, ABCs must also provide its employees  with anti-discrimination training and notice of the settlement.

The  EEOC recently updated its Youth@Work website which  presents information for teens and other young workers about employment  discrimination.  The website also  contains curriculum guides for students and teachers and videos to help young  workers learn about their rights and responsibilities in the work force.