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Weis Markets charged with sexual harassment

It happened at a Mifflintown, Pa., location and came from a supervisor

Bill Wilson, Senior editor at Supermarket News

October 27, 2023

1 Min Read
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Weis Markets is also being accused of failing to take corrective action against the supervisor after the employee reported the sexual harassment and the supervisor admitted to the conduct.Weis Markets

Weis Markets is facing a sexual harassment lawsuit from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EOCC).

According to the suit, a supervisor at a Weis Markets in Mifflintown, Pa., made several sexual comments to a worker at the workplace, talked about committing violent acts, and on one occasion kissed her on the face without consent. Weis Markets, headquartered in Sunbury, Pa., is also being accused of failing to take corrective action against the supervisor after the employee reported the sexual harassment and the supervisor admitted to the conduct.

The EOCC said after the sexual harassment complaint was filed the company told the worker other employees were complaining about her and as a result, she needed to participate in Weis Markets’ employee assistance program (EAP).

The EAP referral required the worker to undergo a medical examination and disability-related inquiries. She would also have to release medical information to the company, and a company official told her the referral determined whether she would be placed on disability leave.

The employee refused and was suspended without pay before being terminated.

The EEOC filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

“Title VII requires employers to make diligent efforts to prevent and correct workplace sexual harassment,” said Philadelphia District Office Regional Attorney Debra Lawrence. “The EEOC will continue to hold employers accountable for their failure to protect workers from such abuses.”

Related:Weis Markets’ Q2 profits slide while sales rise

 

About the Author

Bill Wilson

Senior editor at Supermarket News

Bill Wilson is the senior editor at Supermarket News, covering all things grocery and retail. He has been a journalist in the B2B industry for 25 years. He has received two Robert F. Boger awards for his work as a journalist in the infrastructure industry and has over 25 editorial awards total in his career. He graduated cum laude from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a major in broadcast communications.

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