Detroit Taco Bell Operators Resolve Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

Sundance, Inc. and Black River Bells, operators of several Taco Bell restaurants in the metropolitan Detroit area, are set to pay $100,000 and provide additional relief to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), as announced by the federal agency.

The EEOC’s lawsuit reveals troubling allegations against Sundance and Black River Bells, specifically concerning an area coach who held managerial authority over multiple Taco Bell locations. Throughout 2022, this individual reportedly engaged in persistent sexual harassment directed at a group of female employees, including minors.

The nature of the harassment was alarming and included inappropriate sexual comments, inquiries about the sexual activity of underage employees, and unsettling requests such as asking an employee if she would give him “sugar” upon turning 18. Additionally, there were instances of unwanted physical contact and a disturbing request made to an assistant manager for explicit videos or images of her with her boyfriend. Notably, the lawsuit also states that Sundance and Black River Bells terminated the assistant manager on the same day she reported the area coach’s misconduct.

This alleged behavior constitutes a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits creating a hostile work environment based on sex, including sexual harassment. It also protects individuals from retaliation for reporting such misconduct or participating in related activities. The EEOC initiated legal action (EEOC v. Sundance, Inc., d/b/a Taco Bell, et al., Case No. 25-cv-10575) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan after unsuccessful attempts to settle the matter through its conciliation process.

As part of a three-year consent decree to resolve the lawsuit, Sundance and Black River Bells will pay $100,000 in damages to compensate five women who were harassed by the area coach. Furthermore, they are required to implement annual training for all management and human resources personnel focused on sexual harassment and retaliation. The companies will also be obligated to submit annual reports detailing any sexual harassment complaints received.

The assistant manager who bravely reported the harassment has intervened in the lawsuit and has filed separate claims for retaliation and harassment, which she intends to pursue in court.

Topics
Lawsuits

Sundance, Inc. and Black River Bells, operators of several Taco Bell restaurants in the metropolitan Detroit area, are set to pay $100,000 and provide additional relief to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), as announced by the federal agency.

The EEOC’s lawsuit reveals troubling allegations against Sundance and Black River Bells, specifically concerning an area coach who held managerial authority over multiple Taco Bell locations. Throughout 2022, this individual reportedly engaged in persistent sexual harassment directed at a group of female employees, including minors.

The nature of the harassment was alarming and included inappropriate sexual comments, inquiries about the sexual activity of underage employees, and unsettling requests such as asking an employee if she would give him “sugar” upon turning 18. Additionally, there were instances of unwanted physical contact and a disturbing request made to an assistant manager for explicit videos or images of her with her boyfriend. Notably, the lawsuit also states that Sundance and Black River Bells terminated the assistant manager on the same day she reported the area coach’s misconduct.

This alleged behavior constitutes a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits creating a hostile work environment based on sex, including sexual harassment. It also protects individuals from retaliation for reporting such misconduct or participating in related activities. The EEOC initiated legal action (EEOC v. Sundance, Inc., d/b/a Taco Bell, et al., Case No. 25-cv-10575) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan after unsuccessful attempts to settle the matter through its conciliation process.

As part of a three-year consent decree to resolve the lawsuit, Sundance and Black River Bells will pay $100,000 in damages to compensate five women who were harassed by the area coach. Furthermore, they are required to implement annual training for all management and human resources personnel focused on sexual harassment and retaliation. The companies will also be obligated to submit annual reports detailing any sexual harassment complaints received.

The assistant manager who bravely reported the harassment has intervened in the lawsuit and has filed separate claims for retaliation and harassment, which she intends to pursue in court.

Topics
Lawsuits