Dogged by sexual harassment suit, PetSmart settles

A manager for PetSmart’s Pottstown and Wyomissing stores got his employer in the doghouse after he sexually harassed female employees.

It seems the manager was something of a beast, tending to grab his genitals while talking to female employees. When female employees complained, they got the corporate equivalent of “Sit! Stay!” PetSmart failed to address the women’s concerns.

At least one employee—another store manager—refused to obey. She filed a complaint with the EEOC.

When the store manager learned of this, he began hounding her by following her around the store, berating her in front of co-workers and disciplining her despite her long record of consistently receiving positive evaluations. Eventually, she had to quit to get away from the manager’s barking.

But every dog has her day. The company settled the matter for $125,000 and agreed to obedience classes on the sexual harassment for the all managers, supervisors and employees. The company must also distribute its sexual harassment policy to all employees.