Sixth Circuit upholds verdict of sexual harassment and retaliation

The EEOC sued New Breed Logistics on behalf of three women and a male co-worker who complained about a supervisor's inappropriate conduct toward the women workers.  After the women objected to the suggestive remarks and an incident of inappropriate touching, they were transferred and terminated, as was the male fork lift driver who supported their objections. 

The EEOC achieved a verdict of 1.5 million dollars and New Breed appealed, arguing that the evidence did not support the jurors' verdict and that the workers' activities were not "protected conduct."  The Sixth Circuit rejected the company's appeals.