PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland veterinary services provider Hannah Pet Hospital will pay over $43,000 to a former pet nurse to settle a federal sexual harassment lawsuit.
According to a Wednesday release from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency sued Hannah on behalf of a nurse at Hannah’s Tigard clinic who said that she quit because a veterinarian sexually harassed her throughout her employment.
The federal agency said the veterinarian also used gendered pejoratives to address other female employees and would say things like, “Shut up, woman,” and “Stupid woman.” According to the release, an EEOC investigation found that despite the harassment complaints against the veterinarian, the company "failed to take corrective action and instead promoted him on two occasions."
The alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace, according to the EEOC.
The funds from the settlement will go to the nurse for damages for emotional distress and lost wages, said the EEOC. The company will also retain an expert who will help draft and implement changes to Hannah's workplace policies and internal complaint procedures.
KATU News has reached out to Hannah Pet Hospital for a statement on the settlement.