New York Drugstore Chain Settles Sexual Harrassment and Retaliation Lawsuit

A sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) against Duane Reade Inc., was recently settled for $240,000 and other relief. The lawsuit had alleged that Duane Reade, which operates over 200 drugstores in New York, had unlawfully created and failed to correct a sexually hostile work environment at one of its stores located in Bronx, New York.

In addition, the EEOC alleged that when employees complained to the EEOC’s New York District Office of the sexual harassment, they were subjected to retaliation in the form of more harassment. In a May 27, 2009 press release, Spencer Lewis, Director of the EEOC’s New York District Office stated that “[t]his settlement achieves the EEOC’s objectives by providing appropriate relief to the victims of sexual harassment while implementing appropriate measures to prevent this kind of violation in the future.”