January 23rd, 2012
Posted in 
IRVINE, CA – A pool supply company has agreed to settle an EEOC sexual harassment lawsuit, in which the company was accused of retaliation.
Aqua Tri, based in Irvine, will pay $462,500 to 18 Hispanic workers. The company was sued in 2009 after allegedly subjecting the workers to sexual harassment and retaliating against them when they refused to acquiesce by firing them.
The lawsuit accuses two Aqua Tri supervisors — who are also Hispanic —of subjecting at least eight Hispanic female employees to unwanted sexual conduct, including inappropriate touching, explicit comments and pressuring them for sex. The EEOC also alleged the men would offer the victims promotions in exchange for sex.
According to the EEOC, the company did not take any action against the supervisors after several employees complained about the harassment. Instead, the company allegedly retaliated against two of the women who came forward, demoting one and causing her to resign and denying overtime to another, as well as isolating her from other co-workers.
In addition, lawsuit states that several male em¬¬ployees were fired after supporting the victims’ claims.
Aside from the money damages, the settlement requires Aqua Tri to hire a Spanish-speaking HR specialist and equal employment opportunity consultant to revise its sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation procedures. In addition, the company must also set up a hotline to specifically to handle complaints brought forth by employees.
Sexual harassment is a serious crime, but unfortunately not every victim comes forward. Many victims are afraid that the offender will retaliate or that nothing will be done, but help is available right now to all victims. If you or someone you know has suffered unwanted sexual conduct, turn to an elite team of sexual harassment lawyers immediately for help.
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Tags: 462 500, Aqua, Co Workers, Eeoc, Elite Team, Equal Employment Opportunity, Hispanic Workers, Hr Specialist, Irvine Ca, Lawsuit States, Money, Perpetrator, Pool Supply, Promotions, Retaliation, Sexual Conduct, Sexual Discrimination, Sexual Harassment Discrimination, Sexual Harassment Lawsuit, Sexual Harassment Lawyers