In September 2002, the Tampa Area Office of the EEOC brought this suit against Rare Hospitality International, Inc., d/b/a Longhorn Steakhouse, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida alleging discrimination on the basis of sex in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Specifically, the charging party, a female employee, and similarly situated individuals were subjected to sexual harassment by their manager consisting of unwelcome sexual comments and sexually offensive physical conduct. In addition, the defendant retaliated against the charging party by assigning her unfavorable job assignments and eventually discharging her in response to her complaints of the harassment. The charging party intervened in the suit in November 2002. The parties then filed a proposed consent decree about a month later in December 2002. After some scheduling orders, the parties participated in mediation in November 2003 and finally reached a final settlement in December 2003 through a consent decree.

The three-year decree, containing non-discrimination and non-retaliation clauses, required the defendant to: distribute a copy of its sexual harassment and retaliation policy, provide Title VII training for its managers and supervisory personnel, post a notice of the consent decree, and report to the EEOC every six months. In addition, the defendant agreed to pay a total of $200,000 to be distributed among three individuals.

Michele Marxkors - 06/26/2007


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