Firm to Pay 7 Women in Harassment Suit

A North Hollywood sex toy manufacturer agreed Wednesday to pay $150,000 to seven women who alleged that they were fondled and kissed against their will by supervisors, who promised promotion in exchange for dates, said an attorney for a federal discrimination agency.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the lawsuit on behalf of the women against Doc Johnson Enterprises, where a spokeswoman Wednesday said the company was not prepared to comment on the case.

“We are happy with the decision,” EEOC regional attorney Pamela Thomason said.

The consent decree requires that Doc Johnson hire a person from outside the company to investigate and remedy any future sexual harassment complaints. Anti-sexual-harassment training is also mandatory for employees, supervisors and managers every six months for three years.

The EEOC says there were probably more than seven female employees at the company who had been harassed, but some did not come forward. The lawsuit, filed on New Year’s Eve, accused the company of permitting supervisors to fire those who complained about harassment.

“The company fired many who objected in the past,” Thomason said. “A lot of them were probably concerned they would be retaliated against.”

EEOC trial attorney Evangelina Hernandez described many of the workers as Latinas who spoke little English and earned low wages.

“Even the act of filing a charge demonstrated great courage in light of Doc Johnson’s willingness to retaliate against employees,” Hernandez said.