In a recent legal settlement, utility provider Con Edison is set to pay $750,000 and introduce extensive anti-harassment measures following a lawsuit accusing the company of neglecting discrimination complaints from female field employees. This resolution, announced on Tuesday, comes in light of an extensive investigation carried out by New York Attorney Letitia James. The investigation highlighted a prevailing culture of harassment and discrimination particularly affecting women in traditionally male-dominated field roles.
The complaint detailed that Con Edison, which supplies electricity to over 10 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, often did not adequately address harassment issues faced by female field workers. A specific case mentioned involved a woman who was traumatized by an incident with a male coworker; she was offered relocation as a solution, yet there was no proposal to transfer or restrict the coworker instead.
Moreover, some female field employees reported being hindered by supervisors from applying for promotions and endured exclusionary remarks like “women don’t belong in this department.” The investigation further uncovered that female employees faced disciplinary actions more frequently than their male colleagues.
Attorney James condemned Con Edison for its failure to safeguard its workers, labeling the persistent toxic and unlawful behavior as intolerable. She stated that the company’s inaction would no longer be accepted, ensuring that from now on, illegal and discriminatory practices would be eradicated.
In response, Con Edison emphasized its commitment to cultivating a work environment devoid of harassment and discrimination, especially for women in undervalued field positions. The company clarified that while the settlement does not constitute admission of guilt, it is regarded as beneficial for their employees and viewed as an opportunity to grow and adapt.
Apart from the financial settlement, Con Edison has pledged to hire an independent consultant who will review its investigation protocols and will establish an employee resource group focused on discussing and improving workplace conditions.