The EEOC have determined that Pallet Companies, doing business as IFCO Systems, should pay just over $200,000 to settle a case involving a gay employee at one of IFCO’s Baltimore facilities.

The employee, who will also be provided with other relief settlements, claimed she was repeatedly harassed by her supervisor due to her sexual orientation. According to the suit, her supervisor made numerous comments to her about her sexual orientation and appearance.

The EEOC charged that the supervisor did in fact make sexually suggestive gestures. IFCO retaliated against the female employee by firing her mere days after her official complaint was filed with upper management. She also placed a call into the employee hotline to report the harassment around this time.

At this point, the EEOC filed suit against IFCO in the US Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division.

In addition to the monetary payout, IFCO will have to:

• Retain an expert on sexual orientation, gender identity and transgender training to assist in developing a training program for management and employees;
• Redistribute equal employment opportunity policies to all employees in its north region;
• Give a letter of reference to all female employees;
• Post a notice about the settlement and report to EEOC on its compliance with the decree.