HARASSMENT CLAIMS: EEOC files Harassment Suit Against Seattle Based Hotel Group

October 4, 2010

Washington – The US Equal Employment opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a harassment lawsuit against a Seattle based hotel group at a US District Court for the District of Washington today.

The lawsuit was filed against Pacific Hospitality after the federal commission found that it allowed a general manager to harass female workers at La Quinta-Federal Way and Best Western Tacoma Dome.

The EEOC alleges that the general manager engaged in questionable conduct around female employees that includes making demeaning comments about women, ridiculing female employees, and even disparages worker’s faith in God.

In one instance, the general manager called a front desk clerk at La Quinta-Federal Way a welfare mother who should get an abortion.

In Best Western Tacoma Dome, an operations manager and a number of other employees were constantly harassed through inappropriate comments, intimidation by yelling, and other threats of violence by the general manager.

The EEOC also alleges that a number of female employees felt that they had no other option but to quit work.

According to the EEOC, the federal commission initially sought a voluntary settlement through conciliation but as no settlement was reached, the lawsuit was filed in behalf of the female victims.

The EEOC is seeking monetary damages for the victims, training on anti-discrimination laws, posting of notices at work site and other injunctive relief.