Foster Group Obtains $700,000 Settlement Partnering with the EEOC Against Lowe’s

On September 16, 2022, a judgment was entered in favor of The Foster Group’s clients,
Heather Kaino and Chris Bucolo. The two, along with a third victim, have been awarded
$700,000 in damages stemming from their sexual harassment claims against former employer,
Lowe’s.

Lowe’s, a nationwide hardware and home improvement company, will pay $700,000
and furnish other relief to settle a sexual harassment discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) based on our clients’ charges. The
EEOC charged in its suit that Lowe’s allowed sexual harassment to occur at its Lake Havasu
City location for several years.

This alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC filed
suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona (EEOC v. Lowe’s, Case No. 22-08152-
PCT-SPL ) after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation
process and with our clients. In addition to providing for $700,000 in damages for three
women, the three-year consent decree settling the suit requires the Lowe’s Lake Havasu City
location to revise its anti-discrimination policies; promptly and thoroughly investigate
complaints of sexual harassment; train all employees on sexual harassment; provide letters of
reference to the three women; and provide reports on training, complaints of discrimination and
any revisions to policies and procedures to the EEOC.

Troy Foster, lead attorney for the women, noted: “We are honored to have represented
these brave women, who have managed to pick themselves up and piece their lives back
together after being knocked down and dragged through an extremely vulnerable
process. They did all the right things. After reporting the harassment to their management, the
harassment just got worse and they lost their jobs. Harassment cannot be tolerated. It probably
would have been much easier for our clients to not stand up. But their strength in doing so will
help countless other women. Again, we are extremely proud and honored to have partnered
with them.”

For more information, please contact Montana Kint at (602) 461-7990.