An Anaheim, California-based owner and operator of restaurants and banquet facilities has agreed to pay $625,000 to settle a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) lawsuit accusing the company of subjecting female employees to sexual harassment.

In its suit, the EEOC alleged that female workers were subjected to inappropriate touching, indecent and offensive comments, and other forms of sexually harassing conduct by co-workers and supervisors at Specialty Restaurants Corporation.

In addition, the agency said that at least one female employee was harassed based on her national origin. The federal agency further alleged that Specialty retaliated against both male and female employees who complained or cooperated with investigations.

In fiscal year 2007, there were 12,510 sexual harassment complaints with the EEOC and state/local agencies, up 4 percent form 2006 and the first increase since 2000. Retaliation complaints increased 18 percent in 2007 to a record high level of 26,663, up from 22,555 in 2006. Retaliation is now the second most frequent charge filing with the EEOC.