Wal-Mart Settles Sexual Harassment Suit with EEOC

Wal-Mart Stores of Texas, LLC has agreed to pay $27,500 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the EEOC.

The EEOC alleged that Paula Barstad, an overnight stocker at a Midland, Texas, Walmart, was subjected to sexual harassment by a male security guard. According to the EEOC, the guard sexually harassed Barstad by making unwanted verbal remarks and physically touching her, and when Barstad reported the harassment to store management personnel she was ignored. According to the lawsuit, management disregarded two written complaints about the harassment, and the sexual harassment continued.

In addition to paying $27,000, the two-year consent decree enjoins the Midland Walmart from engaging in sexual harassment and retaliation, and requires the store to post a notice about sexual harassment. The consent decree also requires the Midland Walmart to conduct anti-discrimination training for all managers regarding the consequences of violating federal anti-discrimination laws – including the failure to address reports of discrimination. The training will explain the steps that managers and assistant managers should take when they receive a complaint relating to discrimination.