Star Tribune to settle sexual harassment suit
Eds: APNewsNow. Updates with newspaper response.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Star Tribune has agreed to pay more than $300,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The government 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.
ADVERTISEMENT
If the court approves the settlement, the Star Tribune will pay between $305,000 and $325,000, depending on the number of eligible employees who step forward.
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.
———
On the Net:
Star Tribune of Minneapolis: http://www.startribune.com
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: http://www.eeoc.gov
