Former Vt. Auto Lube Business Cited in Sexual Harassment Case
Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell announced recently that his office has obtained a default judgment against the now defunct New Lubrication Corporation in a sexual harassment case involving two former female employees. The former South Burlington Jiffy Lube business was operated at the time by Gregg Beldock.
The State's Complaint alleged that the female employees had been subjected to frequent, highly offensive sexual remarks and gestures by male co-workers and supervisors. The suit also alleged that Beldock did nothing to stop this conduct when the employees complained to him about it, and that supervisors and co-workers retaliated against the women after they made their complaints.
The Chittenden Superior Court entered judgment against New Lubrication Corporation and ordered it to pay $20,000 in civil penalties, $14,910 in costs, and $16,475 in lost wages and other damages for the aggrieved employees. The Court also ordered Beldock to participate in training on the subject of sex discrimination and sexual harassment.
"Sadly, sexual harassment remains a serious problem in the workplace," said Sorrell. "Owners and supervisors, especially in male-dominated businesses, need to understand that the law requires swift and effective actions to stop this sort of behavior."
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