Chipotle Settles Sexual Harassment Lawsuit in Florida

Sexual harassment can happen to virtually any employee, whether they’re working as a corporate executive in Silicon Valley or as a chef at a Chipotle in Florida. Chipotle found out the hard way that even the lowest-paid workers in America can file lawsuits and hold companies accountable for sexual harassment. This behavior is simply unacceptable, and Chipotle has settled for a five-figure sum.

If you have experienced sexual harassment, it’s important to understand your rights. You have the right to file an official complaint against your abuser, and you cannot be retaliated against in any way after you make these complaints. You also have the right to file a lawsuit against those responsible for your experiences. The best way to do this is to get in touch with a qualified, experienced attorney who specializes in sexual harassment cases.

Chipotle Settles for $70,000

On August 13th, it was reported that Chipotle had agreed to settle for $70,000 after a worker came forward with sexual harassment claims. These instances of sexual harassment allegedly occurred in Tampa, Florida. What started with unwanted, inappropriate comments about this female worker’s body eventually escalated into unwanted physical touching. Both inappropriate comments and physical touching constitute sexual harassment in the United States. The charges were pursued against Chipotle by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, otherwise known simply as the EEOC.

No One Listened

What made this situation even worse was the fact that the female worker complained to her superiors several times, and no action was taken. After seeing that no one was willing to take her claims seriously, the female employee then informed management that she was going to take up the matter with corporate headquarters. She was then fired.

Retaliation is Illegal in the United States

Retaliating against employees for making sexual harassment complaints is illegal in the United States. Since this woman seems to have been fired specifically because she planned to inform corporate headquarters of her experiences, Chipotle faces considerable controversy because of this incident.

This Isn’t the First Time Chipotle Has Faced Lawsuits

Chipotle is no stranger to lawsuits. In the past, most of their controversies have revolved around food safety and overtime disputes. However, the franchise has dealt with at least one previous sexual harassment lawsuit, which resulted in a $95,000 settlement. Experts have predicted that this latest incident could seriously harm Chipotle’s reputation, especially because of the retaliation factor.

Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today

If you have experienced sexual harassment, you don’t have to stay silent. Get in touch with a qualified, experienced attorney in Florida who specializes in these cases, and you can pursue this matter in a confident, efficient, and dignified way. This latest story involving Chipotle shows that companies can be forced to issue settlements to victims. Although this doesn’t take back what happened, it can provide you with a sense of justice and closure. Book your consultation today.