Employer settles EEOC sexual harassment lawsuit in Utah for $400,000

On March 24, 2025, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced the settlement of a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the agency in the federal district court in Utah against a company providing janitorial services to hospitals.

Unaddressed harassment complaints and alleged retaliation

The agency filed suit against the company and alleged that a male employee repeatedly sexually harassed female housekeepers with sexual comments and attempts to kiss, touch, and grab the workers. According to the EEOC, the company failed to stop the unwelcome conduct for more than a year, despite receiving multiple complaints from the affected housekeepers. Adding to the problem, the employer allegedly retaliated against some of the victims with unfavorable work assignments and termination.

After the EEOC filed suit, the employer agreed to resolve the case by paying $400,000, reinstating certain employees, providing letters of apology, training its workforce regarding harassment, reviewing and revising its policies, and reporting to the EEOC regarding these subjects.

The EEOC’s Phoenix District Director Melinda Caraballo commented on the settlement, saying:

Sexual harassment remains a prevalent problem in today’s workplace, especially for workers like housekeepers, who may work in isolated environments. Employers commit a second violation of Title VII [of the Civil Rights Act of 1964] when they retaliate against employees who complain about the sexual harassment.