Federal Court Enters Consent Decree Resolving EEOC Sex Harassment Suit Against Leading Lumber Supplier

Source: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

MADISON, Wis. – Judge William M. Conley of the federal district court in Madison  has entered a consent decree resolving a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal  Employment Opportunity Commission against a major lumber supplier in  Prentice, Wis. The EEOC had charged the company violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when it did not take immediate and appropriate action to stop a supervisor’s sexual harassment after learning he had repeatedly exposed his genitals to female employees over several years.

The decree provides the company will pay employees Verna Weber and Patricia Stade a total of $55,000, prohibits future sexual harassment and requires that BWS provide anti-discrimination training to its managers and human resources personnel.

Wisconsin court records indicate on November 12, 2009, several months after the EEOC filed its civil lawsuit, the supervisor, Billy J. Decker, was convicted in a criminal case  in Price County Circuit Court of two counts of lewd and lascivious behavior for twice exposing himself to Weber in 2008.

“The Supreme Court has ruled when an employer learns of sexual harassment, it must take immediate, appropriate, and effective action to stop it,” said Regional Attorney John C.  Hendrickson of the EEOC’s Chicago District Office which is responsible for EEOC litigation in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota. “Here the EEOC contended that supervisors were aware of the harassment but did not take immediate action, and women suffered as a result. We appreciate (the company’s) willingness to work with us to provide relief for the victims and to ensure that harassment does not recur.”

The case was litigated by Senior Trial Attorney Dennis McBride of the Milwaukee Area Office, part of the EEOC’s Chicago District Office.

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. Further information about the Commission is available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.

For more information on discrimination laws, or anti-harassment training, please contact Berkshire Associates at 800.882.8904 or email bai@berkshireassociates.com.