Sexual Harassment Claim Filed Against Star Tribune Newspaper

Staff Writer, April 6, 2009

The Star Tribune newspapers are currently being sued by several female employees for sexual harassment. The plaintiffs are two named women, though there may be many more that are refusing to step forward, who claim that they were victims of sexual abuse while they worked in the mailroom of the Star Tribune. Their male co-workers made lewd comments, dirty jokes and sex-based statements on multiple occasions.

The Star Tribune will be forced to pay between $305,000 and $325,000, depending on the number of victims who step forward. The following actions also must be taken by the newspaper, to prevent future cases of sexual harassment on its premises:

• An injunction against sex harassment or retaliation of its female employees in the mail room;
• Employing a supervisor or manager for the mail room for every shift;
• Employing a human resources representative who will have responsibility for the human resource function for the mail room, including monitoring and resolving complaints of employees on working conditions in the mail room; and
• Providing annual training on preventing sexual harassment and retaliation to its mail room managers and supervisors during the decree's term.