A Chicago fitness club will pay $45,000 to settle a federal sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit.
An employee of Lakeshore Sport and Fitness filed a discrimination charge against the company, alleging that she had been sexually harassed by another employee while working in the club’s restaurant and that her complaints were ignored.
According to a filing with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s website, the employee also claims the company fired her after she complained. Two other employees also claim they were sexually harassed by the same employee.
A judge ruled that Lakeshore Sport and Fitness must stop all sexual harassment and retaliation and pay $45,000, to be divided among the three former employees; post a notice of the settlement; and train its managers and supervisors regarding employer obligations and the rights of employees under Title VII.
“Particularly in this era of #metoo, employers must recognize the importance of taking claims of sexual harassment seriously,” said Julianne Bowman, district director for the EEOC’s Chicago District.
