The EEOC issued a press release today stating that Tenaya Lodge will be paying $195,000 to settle a sex harassment and retaliation claim. The plaintiff filed a complaint with the EEOC. After investigation, the EEOC concluded that the plaintiff was subjected to harassment and discrimination. The EEOC also concluded that other women were also victims of harassment. This is what makes this case so interesting to me.
The EEOC spoke with other employees. During this process it found evidence, at least in its opinion, to pursue claims on behalf of other employees. That discovery doubled the payout for the employer. The plaintiff is receiving $100,000. The $95,000 is set aside for other females at the business who have suffered harassment.
It’s not a pleasant experience to be accused of harassment or retaliation. The process is expensive. You pay your lawyer. You may pay a settlement or judgment. And you may pay attorneys’ fees.
And what’s worse is that DNC Parks owns the property. They run all of the concessions in Yosemite. That means the next time I stop at the store in Wawona, I’ll be charged a little more for my “It’s It”. If you haven’t eaten an It’s It, you need to. Ice cream in a cookie sandwich. Great treat after a day of hiking or swimming in Yosemite.
By the way, I will be at an EEOC training course on Thursday (at a hotel on the beach in Oxnard). If you have a question you want me to ask the EEOC, email me.