In 2001, an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a preliminary ruling against the Minneapolis Library System, saying that unrestricted internet surfing created a sexually hostile work environment. The Commission suggested that the 12 employees receive compensation of $12,000 each and referred the case to the Justice Department.
The Library System did not settle and in February this year, following a 19-month review, the Justice Department decided not to take action. The lawsuit was filed a month later, seeking compensation for humiliation, emotional distress and anxiety resulting from the hostile work environment.
A settlement has now been reached, according to the lawyer acting for the librarians. He told the Associated Press that the library will now be considering the use of internet filters, and will pay $435,000 to the librarians, considerably more than the amount suggested by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
A statement released by Library officials has confirmed that a settlement took place, but not the amounts involved.
The so-called Minneapolis 12 began their legal battle three years ago, alleging that unfiltered web access attracted patrons seeking hard-core pornography who would monopolise the librarys computers and, according to the Pioneer Press, "would react angrily and at times violently if any effort was made to interfere".
In 2001, an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a preliminary ruling against the Minneapolis Library System, saying that unrestricted internet surfing created a sexually hostile work environment. The Commission suggested that the 12 employees receive compensation of $12,000 each and referred the case to the Justice Department.
The Library System did not settle and in February this year, following a 19-month review, the Justice Department decided not to take action. The lawsuit was filed a month later, seeking compensation for humiliation, emotional distress and anxiety resulting from the hostile work environment.
A settlement has now been reached, according to the lawyer acting for the librarians. He told the Associated Press that the library will now be considering the use of internet filters, and will pay $435,000 to the librarians, considerably more than the amount suggested by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
A statement released by Library officials has confirmed that a settlement took place, but not the amounts involved.