Big Lots Settles EEOC Sexual Harassment Suit

Big Lots Inc. settled a sexual harassment suit brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of a female worker in California.

The commission sued Big Lots, the largest U.S. retailer of discontinued and overstocked goods, last year after a part-time cashier alleged that she had been sexually harassed by a manager. The woman claimed she was fired because she resisted the alleged harassment and then complained about it. Big Lots agreed to pay her $132,500 as part of the settlement, the EEOC said.

The company, based in Columbus, Ohio, denied the allegations and said it settled to avoid further costs and distraction from the litigation.

Shares of Big Lots rose 1 cent to $11.07.