A massive grocery chain is now hit by a discrimination lawsuit, the company has confirmed it will pay $265,000 to settle.
A federal investigation determined Sprouts subjected employees in the Los Angeles area to sexual harassment and retaliation.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced last Friday that Sprouts Farmers Market settled a federal charge of sex discrimination including sexual harassment and retaliation.
The EEOC claims the specialty grocer’s store in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles subjected a group of employees to sexual harassment and retaliated against them for complaining about the harassment.
After an investigation, the EEOC found “reasonable cause to believe” that Sprouts violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which protects employees from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.
To resolve the charge, Sprouts, without admitting liability, entered into a one-year conciliation agreement with the EEOC, requiring the grocer to provide $265,000 to a group of individuals affected by the harassment and retaliation.
Sprouts will also get an external Title VII consultant/monitor; update its policies as necessary; provide training to all employees in the affected district on Title VII, sexual harassment and retaliation; and update its investigation process.
The EEOC said it will monitor the grocer’s compliance with this agreement.
Patricia Kane, acting director of the EEOC’s Los Angeles district, commended Sprouts for addressing the concerns as well as providing relief for the class.
In an emailed statement, Sprouts said it is “pleased” to have the EEOC’s allegations resolved.
“Sprouts fosters a work environment of care and respect and we do not tolerate harassment of any kind.
We continue to protect team members who report wrong-doing and will take appropriate action when Sprouts’ culture or policies are violated,” the grocer said in the statement.
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Also Read: A Massive Grocery Brand Now Files For Chapter 11
Other Economy News Today
A grocery chain with 900 outlets now makes an unexpected closure in Illinois, leaving customers mourning its loss.
A Save-A-Lot store in Rockford, Illinois, will be closing its doors for good on May 20.
Customers were informed of the sudden news by a sign on the door telling them to go to another branch for their goods.
However, locals are concerned as a store that opened in February 2015 propped up the neighborhood following the loss of a Schnucks store.
The Save-A-Lot location not only provided jobs but also a budget store.
Following the closure, shoppers are going to be left with fewer options with one resident saying, “We have no choices.”
“This is going to be a hard hit for the people in this neighborhood…this community…and this side of town…we have nothing,” one shopper told WREX.
“I’m not happy because they are a less expensive store, you get more for your money.”
“Schnucks is on the higher end, and Aldi is higher than they used to be.”
The shopper noted that options in the area are limited with the nearest grocery stores being Aldi which is around two miles away, and Schnucks, two and a half miles away.
“We have no choices, we have dollar stores – they have competitive prices, but they don’t carry a lot of stuff you can’t feed a family on that, you need stores like this.”
“I feel like we’re a dry county when it comes to groceries and it’s really hard,” another shopper added.
“I’m kind of heartbroken about it. It’s a shame it’s going to hurt a lot of people.”
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Also Read: A Massive Grocery Chain With 400 Stores Is Now Closing
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