The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged the owners/operators of Chicago Harley Davidson, in Glenview, Ill., with violating federal law by fostering a sexually hostile work environment for a female business manager and then firing her for complaining about it. The respondent companies are DP Fox Ventures, LLC, Fox Glenview, LLC, and Fox Illinois Staffing, LLC.

According to the EEOC's lawsuit, the business manager was subjected to constant harassment from other managers and co-workers, including repeated comments about her body; requests to wear more revealing clothing; sexual comments; unwelcome sexual propositions; and receiving sexual images and videos. When the business manager complained to the company, the company fired her.

Such alleged conduct violates Title VII, which prohibits employers from creating a sexually hostile work environment and prohibits retaliation against employees who complain about harassment.

“The EEOC takes claims of sexual harassment very seriously and the agency is dedicated to ensuring that women in the workplace are protected from unwelcome sexual comments and propositions at work,” said Julianne Bowman, the EEOC’s Chicago district director.