National Raisin to Pay $2 Million in Landmark Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Settlement

Background

Sunshine Raisin Corporation, doing business as National Raisin, one of California’s leading dried fruit suppliers, has agreed to a $2 million settlement following a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The case centers on widespread misconduct at the company’s Fowler, California production facility, where female farmworkers faced a hostile work environment.

The lawsuit underscores persistent risks in the agricultural industry, particularly for women workers with limited English proficiency, and highlights the legal responsibilities employers face when addressing harassment and retaliation in the workplace.

The Incident

According to the lawsuit, female agricultural workers at National Raisin were subjected to systemic sexual harassment by both managers and employees. The misconduct occurred during the sorting and packing of dried fruit and included:

• Unwanted groping and physical contact.
• Sexually explicit remarks and offensive comments.
• Repeated requests for sexual favors.
• Threats and acts of retaliation when workers resisted or reported misconduct.

Despite receiving multiple complaints, National Raisin failed to take effective corrective measures. Instead of addressing the harassment, the company retaliated against women who came forward, further worsening the hostile work environment.

Legal Background

The EEOC’s case alleged violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits:

• Workplace sexual harassment.
• Discrimination based on sex.
• Retaliation against employees who report misconduct.

Employers are legally obligated under Title VII to maintain a workplace free from harassment, to investigate employee complaints promptly, and to protect workers from retaliation.

The case, EEOC v. Sunshine Raisin Corporation, d/b/a National Raisin and Real Time Staffing Services, LLC, d/b/a Select Staffing, Case No. 1:21-cv-01424-JLT-HBK, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. While the settlement with National Raisin has been finalized, litigation against Select Staffing, a staffing agency connected to the case, is ongoing.

Settlement and Relief

Under a consent decree entered on March 11, 2024, National Raisin agreed to:

• Pay $2 million in monetary relief to affected female workers.
• Hire a third-party monitor to oversee compliance with workplace protections.
• Implement mandatory sexual harassment prevention training for employees, supervisors, and managers.
• Update and enforce stronger anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation policies.
• Establish robust reporting systems to ensure workers can safely report harassment.
• Submit periodic reports to the EEOC detailing harassment complaints and the company’s responses.

A claims process will be established to distribute compensation to women who experienced harassment or retaliation.

Key Takeaways

1. Harassment in agriculture remains a major concern — Workers in industries with vulnerable populations face heightened risks without proper oversight.
2. Employers cannot ignore complaints — Failure to act, or retaliating against employees, significantly increases liability.
3. Training and monitoring are essential — Independent oversight and prevention training are proven strategies for reducing harassment.

Conclusion

The $2 million settlement against National Raisin serves as a strong reminder that employers who neglect to protect their workers from harassment and retaliation not only face legal and financial consequences but also risk damaging workplace morale and reputation. For industries like agriculture, where many workers may already be vulnerable, proactive compliance measures are especially critical.

Recommendation: Strengthen Protections with TAP Series Training

The best way to prevent costly lawsuits like this is through prevention and education. TAP Series, the leader in online compliance training, provides comprehensive Sexual Harassment Training designed to help organizations create safer workplaces.

TAP’s training equips employees, supervisors, and managers with the tools to recognize, prevent, and properly respond to harassment. With a user-friendly online format, TAP makes it simple for busy businesses to meet compliance obligations while fostering a respectful culture.

By choosing TAP Series, organizations can:

• Reduce legal and financial risks.
• Protect their workforce from harassment and retaliation.
• Demonstrate a clear commitment to compliance and employee well-being.

Investing in TAP’s Sexual Harassment Training is an essential step for companies that want to strengthen compliance, prevent misconduct, and build safer, more respectful workplaces.