Webb City store settles harassment complaint

The Missouri Commission on Human Rights announced Dec. 23 that The Dugout Sport Shop Inc. agreed to pay $5,500 to resolve a claim of sexual harassment and forced resignation.

According to the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the store located at 1717 S. Madison Ave. in Webb City denied the allegations, but agreed to settle the case for $5,500. The settlement also requires Dugout to provide training for all of its employees, expunge the complainant's personnel file and post the required MCHR Discrimination in Employment poster.

Dugout President Brian Christmas referred questions to Joplin attorney Dan Whitworth. Whitworth did not immediately return a telephone call Monday morning.

The complaint alleged that an unidentified employee claimed to be sexually harassed. The employee also alleged she was subjected to verbal and physical harassment that made her work environment intolerable. The employee said she was forced to resign when it was clear the employer would not stop the alleged offensive conduct.

"Employers must live up to their obligation of providing their employees with a harassment-free workplace," Alisa Warren, MCHR executive director, said in a news release. "Employers must be vigilant about preventing sexually harassing behavior at work."