ABM Industries, Inc., a national janitorial company, has settled a sexual harassment lawsuit involving Central Valley employees. The company will pay a $5.8 million settlement to 21 Hispanic female janitorial workers.

The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed suit against ABM on behalf of the women, accusing the company of failing to respond to repeated complaints of "egregious" sexual harassment.

According to the EEOC, the harassment began in 2001. However, the harassment became severe and included sexual assault of some women in 2005. The harassment included unwelcome touching, explicit sexual comments and requests for sex. The women experienced harassment from 14 male coworkers and supervisors, one of them being a registered sex offender.

Some of the harassers exposed themselves to the women and groped them. At least one woman was raped. EEOC claimed that ABM did nothing about the harassment despite repeated complaints by the female janitorial workers.

EEOC sued ABM in 2007. As part of the settlement, ABM does not admit fault. However, the settlement requires ABM to designate an outside equal employment opportunity monitor, provide extensive training to harassment investigators, establish a hotline for complaints, provide anti-harassment training to employees, conduct internal compliance audits, closely monitor any discrimination complaints and provide periodic annual reports to the EEOC.

One of the victims said in a statement that she complained several times about the abuse at work, but ABM did nothing. She expressed relief that ABM will make changes and that no one will have to suffer like they did.

EEOC Chair Jacqueline A. Berrien stated, "This settlement serves as a reminder to employers that they must remain vigilant in preventing and remedying harassment in their workplace."

Source: The Business Journal "Firm pays $5.8 million to settle harassment case" 9/2/10