Ohio-Based Bus Operator Settles Retaliation, Sexual Harassment Suit Filed by EEOC

February 3, 2011

Los Angeles - First Student Inc., an Ohio-based bus company, has agreed to pay about $150,000 and provide other relief in order to settle the retaliation and a sexual harassment case filed against them by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), said reports.

According to the agency, at least four female employees of the Ohio-based school bus operator, including a Human Resources (HR) assistant and bus drivers, were sexually harassed by their male supervisor.

The male supervisor of the company’s LA facility allegedly made sexually explicit comments and performed malicious actions against the female employees.

EEOC further claimed that the manager failed to address the employees’ complaints. In addition, one of the said employees was disciplined while another one was transferred after voicing out their grievances.

Further, a bus driver’s working hours were shortened after she refused to welcome the harasser’s advances and the latter also offered additional hours to female workers who will submit to them. At least three of the employees resigned due to the illegal practices in the workplace.

Reports said aside from paying the employees, the company will also redraft its complaint procedures, policies, trainings, and investigations on sex discrimination and retaliation. It was also ordered to report related complaints to the HR department within 24 hours of receipt and to form a centralized tracking system for such complaints.