EMPLOYMENT LAW: Las Vegas Resort Sued for Sexual Harassment

January 11, 2011

Las Vegas – The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed charges against JW Marriott Resort, Spa & Golf after the company failed to prevent and correct an ongoing sexual harassment of two female staff, the agency said.

In a lawsuit filed last December 2010, the EEOC alleges that two restaurant servers experienced repeated harassment from a male co-worker who later became their supervisor.

From 2003 until the harasser’s discharge in December 2007, it was believed that he engaged in verbal and physical harassment, such as rubbing his body against the victims, groping, and making vulgar remarks.

The victims said complaints were made with the management as early as 2006 but were ignored. The EEOC noted this as a clear violation of the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The lawsuit was filed with the US District Court, District of Nevada after pre-litigation settlement failed. EEOC seeks compensatory and punitive damages on behalf of the victims, and injunctive relief to prevent any harassment complaints in the future.

On the other hand, JW Marriott said in a statement that the company “does not tolerate sexual harassment and always investigates any allegation of it promptly.”