Star Tribune to settle sexual harassment suit
(AP) - The Star Tribune newspaper has agreed to pay more than $300,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The goverment agency announced the deal with the state's largest newspaper on Tuesday. It still must be approved in federal court in Minneapolis.
The EEOC alleges the company allowed a hostile work environment to form for some of its female mailroom employees. The alleged harassment included propositions for sex, sexual comments and suggestive conduct.
If the court approves the settlement, the Star Tribune will pay between $305,000 and $325,000, depending on the number of women who step forward.
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Women who worked in the mailroom at the Heritage Facility between August 2005 and the present may be entitled to some of the settlement money.
The newspaper is also agreeing to take steps to prevent sexual harassment in that mailroom in the future.
In a statement, the newspaper says it disagrees with the EEOC's allegations and believes it would win in court.
However, the settlement avoids the cost and disruption of fighting the case, so the newspaper says it's in the best interest of the company and its employees.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
