Settling Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Costs MD Casino $100,000 | MD

 Posted on September 30, 2024 in Sexual Harassment & LGBTQ Rights

Golden Entertainment agreed in May 2024 to pay $100,000 to settle a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit. The company also agreed to provide managers, employees, and supervisors with comprehensive sexual harassment prevention training. The EEOC lawsuit stated that a bartender (male) who worked at the Rocky Gap Casino subjected another bartender (female) to repeated incidences of sexual harassment. 

The sexual harassment included unwanted sexually suggestive comments as well as unwanted physical contact when he repeatedly groped the female’s buttocks. When the female bartender complained to her supervisor about the harassment, the casino ignored her complaints and continued to schedule the two to work together.  

When the female made multiple complaints about the sexual harassment, the casino finally reassigned her to a station where she made considerably less money, and she eventually resigned from her position. 

After initial attempts to reach a pre-litigation settlement were unsuccessful, the lawsuit was filed, and a settlement was awarded. Rocky Gap Casino must now report to the EEOC on handling any sexual harassment claims. 

Victims in cases of sexual harassment often do not know that they can take action against their employers and the person harassing them. If you are suffering from workplace sexual harassment, you deserve justice. A Silver Spring, MD sexual harassment lawyer from Freedman Law, LLC can help those facing sexual harassment in the workplace.    

What is Sexual Harassment in Maryland?

Sexual harassment can interfere with a productive work environment and can demean employees who are victims of workplace sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is against the law. Employers in the state and across the nation are legally required to maintain a workplace that is free from harassment.   

In the state of Maryland, sexual harassment is defined as unwanted sexual advances, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, or sexual favor requests that make such conduct a term or condition of employment. Unwanted sexual harassment can also lead to a hostile work environment making it so that the harassed person dreads going to work. Further examples of sexual harassment include:

• Suggestive letters, emails, or texts

• Obscene photos or drawings

• Requests for sexual favors

• Sexually oriented degrading jokes and comments

• Sexually suggestive touches or body contact

• Sexual gestures

• Unwelcome advances

What Causes Workplace Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment is often less about sex and more about power and control. Power dynamics in the workplace are associated with seniority, age, gender, or value to a business. A sexual harasser could be in a position of power because he or she is the owner of the business, a valued customer, a direct supervisor, or is in a position to influence another person’s future career prospects. Gender inequality is another underlying cause of workplace sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is recognized as a form of violence against those who suffer from an unequal distribution of power, value, opportunity, and resources compared to the person doing the harassing.  

What Can Be Done About Sexual Harassment in the Workplace?

If you are the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, it is important that you document every instance of harassment. You must also report the sexual harassment to your supervisor or to HR. Contact an attorney who is experienced in sexual harassment claims. You may also want to call the Maryland Commission on Human Relations.

Contact a Montgomery County, MD Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Being sexually harassed at work can have many negative consequences, including harm to one’s career as well as physical illness and emotional harm. If you are dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace, contact an experienced Rockville, MD sexual harassment attorney to discuss the harassment. Attorney Lindsay Freedman represents his clients aggressively. He is accessible, supportive, and very hands-on as one of the best employment lawyers in Annapolis, MD. Contact Freedman Law, LLC at 410-290-6230 to schedule a consultation to discuss your issues.