Recently, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged a Houston-area restaurant chain for subjecting its bartenders to sexual harassment. The EEOC notes that the company additionally retaliated against its employees after they complained about the sexual misconduct. As many Californians know, sexual harassment and retaliation are forms of discrimination that violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The suit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

According to reports, the owner of two restaurants continuously harassed two female bartenders for approximately two years. The women allege that the owner groped the employees and exposed himself. Subsequent to the acts, the employees complained about the harassment to the store manager and a corporate human resources official. Nevertheless, the misconduct continued.

The restaurant had no sexual harassment policy during the time. After the employees filed discrimination charges with the EEOC, the restaurant gave one of the victims a terrible working schedule and refused to rehire the other bartender. The harassment became so severe that the remaining employee was forced to quit.

Sexual harassment is discrimination because of another's gender. It can take many varieties. For example, sexual harassment includes unwelcomed flirting or exposure to a sexualized atmosphere. In addition, employers may not retaliate against you for initiating a sexual harassment investigation. Here, the employees submitted complaints about the inappropriate touching and exposure to the EEOC and were mistreated for making such accusations.

The EEOC is seeking a permanent injunction prohibiting the company from engaging in further employment discrimination or retaliation. The women are seeking back pay, compensatory damages and punitive damages.

If you feel that you have been sexually harassed in your workplace, you may want to speak to an attorney about your particular situation. You have a right to work in an environment that is free of demoralizing abuse.

Source: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, "Houston restaurant chain sued by EEOC for sexual harassment," Jan. 24, 2012