EEOC Sues McDonald’s for Sexual Harassment of Teenage Employee

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently filed a lawsuit against a McDonald’s franchise in Oklahoma for sexual harassment. According to the EEOC, a 17-year-old female employee was subjected to sexual comments and touching by her adult male supervisor. The harassment got so bad that the teenager felt forced to quit her job.

The EEOC alleges the franchise owner failed to take prompt action when it learned about the harassment. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace. The law applies to employers with 15 or more employees.

Sexual harassment involves unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile work environment. This can include sexual comments, jokes, gestures, touching, or threats. It is illegal when it is so frequent or severe that it affects the employee's ability to do their job. Teenage workers are particularly vulnerable to sexual harassment in the workplace. Due to their young age and lack of work experience, teens may not understand what constitutes harassment or feel empowered to report it. Employers have a heightened responsibility to protect underage employees from unwanted sexual conduct and attention from older co-workers and supervisors.

Employers are responsible for preventing and stopping sexual harassment. If an employer knows or should know about harassment, they must take immediate action to address it. Employers should have clear harassment policies, training for managers and employees, and procedures for reporting and investigating complaints.

Under Title VII and state laws like the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, employees have the right to work free of sexual harassment. If you experience harassment at work, document the details and report it to a manager or HR. You also have the right to file a complaint with the EEOC or state agency. Victims can recover lost wages and damages if the employer failed to stop the harassment.

No one should have to endure an abusive work environment. Sexual harassment takes an emotional and psychological toll on victims. This EEOC lawsuit shows that employers must take harassment seriously, especially when it involves vulnerable younger workers. All employees deserve dignity and respect at work.