EEOC and Fagerberg Produce Agree to Conciliate Discrimination Charges

DENVER – Fagerberg Produce, Inc. has agreed to conciliate discrimination charges involving sexual harassment and retaliation with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Com­mission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.

The EEOC charged that a former manager at Fagerberg Produce subjected employees to unwelcome sexual harassment, retaliation, and/or different terms and conditions of their work environment. Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.

Fagerberg Produce has agreed to pay $500,000 to five complainants and other aggrieved individuals who claimed they suffered discrimination during their employment.

In addition to the monetary compensation, Fagerberg Produce has agreed to revise their EEO policy and implement procedures to investigate complaints, including taking immediate corrective action if they receive reports of unlawful harassment. Fagerberg Produce will also retain an external bilingual consultant to train employees, investigate harassment complaints, and monitor compliance with the terms of the agreement, along with the assistance of Fagerberg Produce’s appointed EEO officer.

Additionally, Fagerberg Produce will send a letter to their customers informing them of their commitment to creating a discrimination-free workplace.

Amy Burkholder, director of the EEOC’s Denver Field Office, said, “We thank Fagerberg Produce for cooperating with EEOC in reaching an early resolution. This type of significant relief for vulnerable workers is a priority for the Commission.”

The EEOC’s Denver Field Office is part of the Phoenix District Office, which has jurisdiction over a five-state region of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Utah.

The EEOC advances opportunity in the workplace by enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. More information is available at www.eeoc.gov. Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.