Altman Specialty Plants to Pay $172,000 in EEOC Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Settlement

Background:

Altman Specialty Plants, LLC, the largest horticultural grower in the United States, has agreed to pay $172,000 in monetary relief and provide extensive injunctive relief to resolve a finding of sex discrimination and retaliation by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This settlement follows an EEOC investigation into charges of a sexually hostile work environment and retaliation at Altman's Austin, Texas location.

Allegations:

The EEOC's investigation revealed that a supervisor at Altman Specialty Plants subjected female employees to persistent sexual harassment, creating a sexually hostile work environment. The harassment included inappropriate comments, unwanted physical contact, and other forms of sex-based discrimination. The investigation also found that when the employees reported the harassment, they faced retaliation, which discouraged further complaints and rendered the company's EEO policies ineffective. This conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on sex and retaliation for reporting such discrimination.

Settlement:

To resolve these charges, Altman Specialty Plants will:

• Monetary Relief: Pay $172,000 in damages to the affected employees.
• Policy Enforcement: Enforce and uphold its non-discrimination and non-retaliation policies.
• Complaint Procedure: Revise and implement an effective complaint procedure to handle future issues.
• EEO Notice: Distribute and post an equal employment opportunity non-discrimination notice in both English and Spanish.
• Training: Conduct training on sex discrimination and retaliation for all employees at the Austin location.

Recommendation:

It is crucial for companies in the horticulture and agriculture industries to provide comprehensive sexual harassment training for all employees. This training should cover recognizing inappropriate behavior, understanding legal protections under Title VII, and proper reporting procedures. Such training is particularly important in environments where employees may have limited English proficiency or work under isolated conditions.

Conclusion:

The settlement between Altman Specialty Plants and the EEOC highlights the importance of maintaining a work environment free from harassment and retaliation. By implementing the agreed-upon measures, Altman Specialty Plants aims to foster a safer and more inclusive workplace for all employees.