The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced last Friday that Sprouts Farmers Market settled a federal charge of sex discrimination including sexual harassment and retaliation.

The EEOC claims the specialty grocer’s store in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles subjected a group of employees to sexual harassment and retaliated against them for complaining about the harassment. 

After an investigation, the EEOC found “reasonable cause to believe” that Sprouts violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which protects employees from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. 

To resolve the charge, Sprouts, without admitting liability, entered into a one-year conciliation agreement with the EEOC, requiring the grocer to provide $265,000 to a group of individuals affected by the harassment and retaliation. Sprouts will also get an external Title VII consultant/monitor; update its policies as necessary; provide training to all employees in the affected district on Title VII, sexual harassment and retaliation; and update its investigation process. The EEOC said it will monitor the grocer’s compliance with this agreement. 

Patricia Kane, acting director of the EEOC’s Los Angeles district, commended Sprouts for addressing the concerns as well as providing relief for the class. 

In an emailed statement, Sprouts said it is “pleased” to have the EEOC’s allegations resolved.

“Sprouts fosters a work environment of care and respect and we do not tolerate harassment of any kind. We continue to protect team members who report wrong-doing and will take appropriate action when Sprouts’ culture or policies are violated,” the grocer said in the statement.