The Pierce County company failed to stop sexual harassment, prompting a federal investigation

A Fife foodservice wholesaler has agreed to change the way it handles sexual harassment claims after a federal investigation found it failed to take action against a store manager who harassed several female employees.

Restaurant Depot, also known as Jetro Holdings, LLC, reached a settlement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission this week, the agency said. To resolve a sexual harassment complaint filed with the EEOC, Restaurant Depot will update its policies and improve processes for employees to file discrimination complaints.

The company will also submit periodic reports to the EEOC over a three-year period to demonstrate compliance with the settlement terms, including employee training requirements, and that any complaints will be promptly investigated, the agency said.

“We’ve heard this story too many times,” Elizabeth M. Cannon, director of the EEOC’s Seattle Field Office, said in a statement. “Employers, train your managers to recognize complaints of discrimination and harassment so they can respond appropriately.”

A former Restaurant Depot employee alleged she was forced to perform sex acts by store managers and was subjected to sexual comments and advances. An EEOC investigation found that the employee and other female employees had been sexually harassed by a store manager and although Restaurant Depot had received complaints dating back to 2019, the company failed to respond appropriately to stop the behavior.

A message left at Restaurant Depot’s corporate office was not immediately returned Friday.

In the EEOC’s statement Thursday, Cannon noted that employees can file charges with the EEOC if their employers fail to protect them from workplace harassment. More information is available at EEOC.gov.