$240 Million EEOC Verdict Will Likely Be Reduced to $1.6 Million

Author: Beth P. Zoller, XpertHR Legal Editor

A federal jury in Iowa recently awarded a verdict totaling $240 million to 32 farm workers who were subject to a hostile work environment harassment and severe abuse at the hands of their employer and supervisors. Despite the fact that this was the largest judgment ever obtained by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency told the Des Moines Register that the award must be lowered because federal law limits the compensatory and punitive damages each plaintiff can receive to $50,000.

Although the $240 million award will likely be reduced, it shows that federal juries are willing to award significant damages in cases of harassment and discrimination. As a result, employers should be sure to implement and enforce strict policies against discrimination and harassment and provide training sessions for all supervisors and employees.

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Employee Management > Disabilities (ADA)