Las Vegas-based travel company settles sex harassment charges
July 2, 2015 - 12:24 pm
A Las Vegas-based travel wholesaler has agreed to settle sexual harassment and retaliation charges filed in 2009 and 2010 by eight women who said they were harassed by a “senior-level company official,” the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced Wednesday.
Eight women employed by Holiday Systems International said they were sexually harassed by the company official based on their gender. Some of the women were retaliated against after reporting the harassment, they claimed.
The EEOC did not give details of the harassment or retaliation claims, but said it found reasonable cause to believe the travel wholesaler violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act for sex-based harassment, retaliatory discharge and constructive discharge.
Although the travel company denies the allegations, Holiday Systems International agreed to “resolve the matter in a timely manner” in order to demonstrate its support of Title VII, the commission wrote in a news release.
Without admitting liability, the travel company, which operates a Las Vegas office near Cheyenne Avenue and Buffalo Drive, entered into a two-year conciliation agreement with the EEOC and the women who filed the charges.
“Although monetary relief for the eight victims is involved, we are not able to disclose the amount at this time,” according to the news release.
In addition to paying the women, the company agreed to have a third-party consultant review and possibly revise the company’s anti-harassment training, policies and procedures.
Holiday Systems International also will be required to provide anti-harassment training to all employees, with additional training for managers and supervisors, and maintain its record-keeping system to track complaints. The EEOC will monitor the company to make sure it complies, the release said.
“We commend Holiday Systems International for agreeing to implement measures to prevent discrimination, harassment and retaliation in the workplace,” EEOC local director Amy Burkholder said in the release. “Employers should serve as models for behavior in ensuring compliance with federal civil rights laws and taking steps to both prevent and address such issues.”
Holiday Systems International was not immediately available for comment on the settlement. The travel company also operates in Canada, Mexico and Europe.
Contact Kimber Laux at klaux@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Find her on Twitter: @lauxkimber.