Hardware Chain Allowed Sexual Harassment at Its Lake Havasu City Location, Federal Agency Charges

PHOENIX -- Lowe’s, a nationwide hardware and home improvement company, will pay $700,000 and furnish other relief to settle a sexual harassment discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.

The EEOC charged in its suit that Lowe’s allowed sexual harassment to occur at its Lake Havasu City location for several years.

This alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona (EEOC v. Lowe’s, Case No. 22-08152-PCT-SPL ) after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.

In addition to providing for $700,000 in damages for three women, the three-year consent decree settling the suit requires the Lowe’s Lake Havasu City location to revise its anti-discrimination policies; promptly and thoroughly investi¬gate complaints of sexual harassment; train all employees on sexual harassment; provide letters of reference to the three women; and provide reports on training, complaints of discrimination and any revisions to policies and procedures to the EEOC.

“The EEOC is committed to eliminating sexual harassment in the workplace,” said EEOC Phoenix District Office Trial Attorney Casey Arellano. “Employers must take action to stop all sexual harassment when they become aware of it so that workers can focus on doing their jobs and providing for their families.”

The acting district director of the EEOC’s Phoenix District Office, Melinda Caraballo, said, “Sexual harassment training, like the training required by this consent decree, is critical in helping all employees understand their federal rights. I am pleased we were able to reach a resolution in this matter so early in the process.”

For more information on sexual harassment, please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/sexual-harassment.

The EEOC’s Phoenix District Office has jurisdiction for Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and part of New Mexico.

The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov.