Monro, Inc. Pays $200,000 to Settle EEOC Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

EEOC charges Car-X Truck and Auto Parts workers were subjected to physical abuse and offensive verbal remarks. Car-X Truck and Auto Parts are two of the company's brand names.  

In order to settle a sexual harassment case brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Monro, Inc., the owner and operator of more than 1,000 auto service centers across the nation, will pay $200,000 and give other remedies, the federal agency stated today.

Several male employees were subjected to frequent physical abuse and sexual remarks by a supervisor and by coworkers at various sites in Illinois and Iowa, claims the EEOC's case. For instance, numerous workers reported being repeatedly subjected to graphic sexual language and forced groping in the crotch or other sensitive areas.

The EEOC further alleged that a female employee endured objectionable verbal comments, such as her supervisor referring to her throughout her employment as "woman" rather than by her name. According to the EEOC's lawsuit, the female employee, an automotive technician, was also given humiliating tasks like cleaning and running errands for others rather than working on automobiles.

Section VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which forbids sex-based harassment, is allegedly violated by the claimed behavior. EEOC v. Monro, Inc., Civil Action No. 1:22-cv-00220) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois after first attempting to settle the matter prior to litigation through its conciliation procedure.

Monro is required by the consent order that settles the EEOC's action to provide $200,000 in financial assistance to four former workers. The firm will also offer specific sexual harassment training to all employees at the stores that were the subject of the case, as well as to all managers and human resources staff who supervise those employees, in addition to the monetary settlement. In addition, for a two-year term, the judgment mandates that Monro publish a notice about the action and notify the EEOC of any upcoming sexual harassment claims.