EMPLOYMENT SEXUAL HARASSMENT: SC Hotel Operator Faces Sexual Harassment, Retaliation Charges

November 16, 2010

Greenville, North Carolina – The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EOOC) has filed a lawsuit against a Simpsonville, SC-based hotel for alleged sexual harassment and retaliation charges, a statement from the agency website announced.

According to the lawsuit, Imperial Investments Greenville, Inc. and its corporate parent, Imperial Investments Group, Inc. created and allowed a hostile working environment for its female employees.

Based on the complaint of Tamara Byrd, from August 2007 to January 2009, the hotel’s male general manager subjected some female employees to unwelcome sexual conduct which included “inappropriate sexual remarks, sexual advances and unwelcome touching”. In addition, the manager also reported exposed himself on two occasions to a female employee.

When Byrd allegedly reported the violations to the company’s corporate office but they failed to investigate or stop the harassment acts. Instead, Byrd was later terminated from work.

As a result, the EEOC filed the lawsuit against the company in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.

The EEOC is seeking back pay, compensatory damages and punitive damages for Byrd and a class of similarly situated women based on the complaint. The agency also filed an injunction asking the company to refrain from engaging in similar discrimination and requiring it to implement measures to ensure a workplace free of discrimination for future employees.