Lowe’s Store in Longview, Washington Sued for Sexual Harassment

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against a Lowe’s store in Longview, Washington for sex discrimination and sexual harassment.  There is an article about the case here.  According to the media reports, two heterosexual employees allege that they were repeatedly called “gay” by store managers, and a female employee alleges that a store manager told her she could advance in the company if she had sex with him.  All three employees allege retaliation.  In another media report, here, an EEOC lawyer is quoted as saying that the store “was a cesspool of harassment, really out of control.”  It is interesting that this case is proceeding in a federal case by the EEOC.  One wonders whether there are any claims being made under state law on behalf of the male employees who were called gay by their supervisor.  Under a recent amendment to the Washington Law Against Discrimination, Washington law now prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.