[St. Paul, MN] The Minnesota Department of Human Rights today announced a settlement agreement with Home Depot after its investigation found several employees sexually harassed another employee and Home Depot failed to stop the harassment.

“Sexual harassment is a violation of the law and a denial of basic human dignity,” said Minnesota Department of Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero. “It harms individuals' mental health, job performance, and well-being, while also undermining organizational integrity and productivity. Minnesota state law requires that employers create a workplace free from sexual harassment and assault. This agreement reminds Minnesota employers of this obligation.”

“My experience was deeply painful, and my goal in coming forward was not just to stand up for myself but also to raise awareness so that nobody else would ever have to go through what I went through,” said the former employee. “I hope my journey and the policy changes outlined in the settlement agreement helps pave the way for a safer, more respectful environment for all employees.”

The case

The Department of Human Rights’ investigation found that from 2018 to 2021, three Home Depot employees sexually harassed another employee at the Fridley store. The sexual harassment included unwelcome sexual comments and advances and inappropriate touching.

The employee reported the sexual harassment numerous times over the course of approximately three years, but Home Depot took little to no action.

Home Depot’s inaction allowed the sexual harassment to continue. This violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act, which prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace.

The Department of Human Rights reached a settlement agreement that requires Home Depot to pay the former employee $65,000. Under the agreement, Home Depot must also work to create a workplace free from sexual harassment by enforcing anti-harassment policies, conducting training on those policies, and holding store managers accountable.

The Department of Human Rights will monitor Home Depot’s compliance with this agreement for two years.

Enforcing Minnesota’s civil rights law

Under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, the Department of Human Rights investigates allegations of sexual harassment and assault in schools and the workplace.

The Department of Human Rights has enforced the law in several sexual harassment and assault cases by:

• Reaching a consent decree with a McDonald’s franchisee after finding a 24-year-old manager used his position of power to repeatedly sexually assault a 14-year-old employee at a restaurant;

• Securing a settlement after a school district failed to prevent a teacher from sexually assaulting a student; and

• Filing a lawsuit against a printing company for failing to stop a supervisor from repeatedly sexually harassing and assaulting two employees.

How to report discrimination

If you believe you have been discriminated against, contact the Minnesota Department of Human Rights by submitting this online form. 

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights is the state’s civil rights enforcement agency and is responsible for enforcing the Minnesota Human Rights Act, one of the strongest state civil rights laws in the country.

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