From the labor standpoint, this is the risk management takes when complaints are not followed up on. Failure to follow up and remediate the situation equals condoning inappropriate behavior, thus making the employer liable. Sears employee wins $5.2 million jury award for racial harassment - Sacramento City News - sacbee.com Abner
1. Agreed that St. Hilare should be forced to suck-start a shotgun. 2. 5.2 million for racial slurs is a nice message to send, but by the time the appeals run their course he won't get it. Idealistic jury awards nearly always get reduced if there are no physical prohibitions to earning income as a result of the issue as a result of the offense. 3. When the jury award is reduced, you won't see a news article reporting on it.
Or, Sears could be wise, pay up and sweep this under the rug ASAP to avoid bad press. 5.2 mill is a drop in the bucket for Sears, and most likely their umbrella policy will cover it anyways. Abner