A federal judge in Texas has ruled against SkyWest Airlines, Inc., denying the airline’s request for a new trial and upholding a jury’s decision that found the company liable for creating a sexually hostile work environment. The ruling comes after a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of a former parts clerk, Sarah Budd.
In November 2024, a federal jury awarded Budd $2.17 million in damages, which included $170,000 for both past and future compensatory damages and $2 million in punitive damages. However, due to legal limits under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the court reduced the total award to $300,000.
The EEOC reported that Budd faced constant sexual harassment from coworkers and at least one manager. The comments were offensive and included requests for degrading sexual acts and remarks about rape. Budd, who is a survivor of sexual assault, suffered from physical and emotional distress as a result of this treatment. Despite her reports to management about the harassment, the airline did not take action to resolve the situation.
The judge’s decision also included injunctive relief, which prohibits SkyWest from allowing similar hostile work environments in the future for parts or maintenance employees at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The airline is required to implement a protocol for investigating harassment complaints, conduct annual training for employees, post notices about Title VII protections, and inform the EEOC of any sexual harassment complaints in that department.
In addition to the damages awarded to Budd, the court also ordered SkyWest to pay the EEOC $24,607 in costs related to the case. The ruling highlights the importance of addressing workplace harassment and ensuring that employees feel safe and respected in their work environments.