Printing Company Settles Sex-Harassment Suit

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA — A Paramount-based printing, mailing and packing company has agreed to pay $690,000 to settle a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency announced Tuesday.

The EEOC's lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles federal court, charged Sierra Creative Systems, doing business as Addressers, with subjecting female employees to sexual harassment and retaliation at its North Hollywood facility. The alleged harassment included unwelcome touching, sexual comments and derogatory statements about women.

The EEOC further asserted that Sierra Creative failed to adequately respond to complaints of discrimination made against one of its supervisors. In addition, the EEOC alleged that those who complained were denied hours and subjected to retaliatory harassment.

Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC stated that it filed suit after first attempting to reach a pre- litigation settlement through its conciliation process.

In addition to monetary relief, the company agreed to injunctive relief intended to prevent further workplace discrimination, harassment and retaliation. The company also agreed to develop a hotline and a centralized tracking system for discrimination, harassment and retaliation complaints. The consent decree will remain under the court's jurisdiction for the decree's three-year term.

"Sexual harassment remains a persistent problem and we encourage employers to take proactive steps to ensure a workplace free of harassment," said Anna Park, regional attorney for the EEOC's Los Angeles district. "We commend Sierra Creative Systems' commitment to the Civil Rights Act and the steps it has taken to prevent discrimination, harassment and retaliation in the workplace."

ALSO SEE:

--City News Service