WASHINGTON: JPMorgan Chase & Co. will pay nearly $1.5 million to settle a federal sexual harassment lawsuit that alleged the company created a hostile work environment for female mortgage bankers at its office outside Columbus, Ohio.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says the settlement money will be divided among 16 women who worked at the bank’s call center in its Polaris Park office.
The lawsuit alleged that the office allowed sexually charged behavior and comments from supervisory staff and other mortgage bankers that resulted in a “sexist atmosphere.” The government said female mortgage bankers who did not tolerate the unwelcome actions were ostracized and deprived of lucrative sales calls and other benefits.
The company issued a statement saying it agrees harassment and discrimination have no place in the work environment.