Company to Settle Harassment Claims

Doc Johnson, a North Hollywood firm that makes sexual novelty items, has agreed to pay $150,000 to seven women employees who complained of being fondled and kissed against their will by company supervisors.

“According to witnesses who lost their jobs for complaining, the harassment was practiced openly and without consequence,” the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said in announcing a consent decree with the company.

In addition to paying damages to the seven women, Doc Johnson, which employs about 300 workers, promised to launch a training program and hire a neutral party to investigate any future charges of sexual harassment.

The commission sued Doc Johnson last year, contending that the company permitted supervisors to sexually harass its primarily Latino work force and fired employees who balked.

Evangelina Hernandez, a commission attorney, said many of the victims were Latino immigrants who spoke little English and were fearful about coming forward to complain.

Doc Johnson’s lawyer, Marta Fernandez, said the company continues to deny the sexual harassment allegations. She said it agreed to settle the case “to put an end to attorney fees and legal expenses.”