EEOC Sues Costco For Not Protecting Employee Against Customer Sexual Harassment

By failing to take action to protect a female employee from a customer who had repeatedly approached, pursued and confronted her, Costco created a “sexually hostile work environment,” the EEOC alleges in a lawsuit against the membership warehouse retailer. The employee complained about the customer, and was told by a manager that Costco would take action in the matter. However, when she complained again, she was berated and told to “be friendly.” “All employers have a duty to protect employees from sexual harassment,” John Hendrickson, the EEOC regional attorney in Chicago, said.