A body-shop manager who installed video cameras behind a mirror in a bathroom at a Dundalk car dealership cost his company $100,000, according to a settlement signed Tuesday.
Norris Automotive Holdings, which did business as Norris Ford, agreed to pay $100,000 to two women who claimed they were sexually harassed while at work and then fired when they complained.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit on behalf of Barbara Dabbs and Christina Humphries-Korenstra, alleging they were subjected to unwelcome advances and inappropriate touching by manager David Weimer at the Norris Ford in Dundalk.
Both women were fired soon after their complaints to management were made about the sexual harassment.
“He put a video camera behind the mirror in the bathroom so he could watch them,” Baltimore EEOC Senior Trial Attorney Cecile Quinlan said. “He made inappropriate comments. He got a glass desk for one woman and made her work in his office so he could look at her legs. Then they fired the women. They wanted to get rid of the women and make the problem go away.”
The EEOC said it filed suit in U.S. District Court in Baltimore after first attempting to reach a voluntary settlement.
“Norris Ford failed to safeguard the rights of its own female employees against two forms of unlawful conduct ? harassment and retaliation,” EEOC Regional Attorney Jacqueline McNair said. “This case should remind employers to take proactive measures to prevent both these evils.”
In addition to the payout to the women, Norris will provide mandatory training to its managerial and supervisory employees on federal employment discrimination laws ? and post a notice to all employees on harassment and discharge based on sex, according to the settlement.
An attorney for Norris Ford did not immediately respond to a reporter?s phone call.
