Carrabba’s Must Pay $690,000 in Sexual Harassment Suit
Carrabba’s Italian Grill, a nationwide chain, and a restaurant staffing firm must pay $690,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced.
The federal agency said that Carrabba’s and OS Restaurant Services violated federal civil rights law when a manager at a Brandon, Florida, Carrabba’s subjected female workers to sexual harassment. The agency filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, in Tampa.
“This case makes clear that sexual harassment remains a serious problem,” EEOC Chairwoman Charlotte Burrows said in a news release. “It’s critical that employers have effective policies and programs to prevent workplace harassment.”
The agency said that it had attempted reach a settlement before the litigation was filed. The EEOC attorney in the case also commended Carrabba’s for working with the EEOC to resolve the matter and address the employees’ concerns.