Fast-food chain Bojangles recently settled a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by an employee, resulting in a $20,000 settlement. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) initiated the suit in response to allegations of inappropriate behavior by a manager, underlining the importance of addressing sexual harassment in the workplace.

Case background

The case revolved around an employee who worked at a Bojangles location in Greensboro, North Carolina. The employee reported experiencing inappropriate touching and remarks from a manager at the restaurant. When she spoke out against her manager's misconduct, the employee was denied the opportunity to participate in a management training program.

The employee was transferred to a different Bojangles location. She alleged this was violation of her rights and protection under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Following the employee's mistreatment, the EEOC initiated legal proceedings against Bojangles. Attempts were made to resolve the dispute through pre-litigation negotiations, but when no satisfactory resolution was reached, the EEOC proceeded with the lawsuit. 

The settlement

As part of the settlement reached between Bojangles and the EEOC, several measures were agreed upon to address the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace. Bojangles agreed to pay the affected employee $20,000 as compensation for the harassment she endured. The manager involved in the harassment allegations will not be rehired by Bojangles, ensuring accountability for their actions.

To prevent future incidents, Bojangles committed to implementing a comprehensive sexual harassment training program for all employees at specific restaurant locations. This proactive step is aimed at educating staff on recognizing, preventing, and reporting incidents of harassment.

If you’ve experienced workplace harassment, contact a qualified whistleblower attorney at Kardell Law Group today.