SMITHFIELD, Va. (WAVY) — Smithfield Foods, a multi-billion dollar global food company, faces four sexual harassment lawsuits filed by six different women in Norfolk Federal Court.
Court documents explain the alleged harassment came from their supervisors.
One of the complaints says the conduct was offensive and could constitute assault and battery.
The women worked in different departments such as the Bacon Division, Kill Floor, and Microwave Bacon Department at the plant in Smithfield.
All but one woman claim they reported the harassment to human resources but nothing was done.
They claim their work hours were cut drastically after complaining about their supervisors, and one claims she was even fired.
However, a statement from Smithfield disputes that, saying, “almost all of the allegations made by the employees were never reported to the company prior to filing the charges.”
Click here to read the full statement.
Smithfield says the very few that were reported to the company were investigated and addressed based on their policies.
One of the women is also alleging racial harassment.
She says her supervisor made offensive racial comments about her and other black colleagues.
The women at the center of the lawsuit are asking for several things, including for Smithfield to institute and carry out equal opportunity policies and compensation for lost earnings and benefits.
No court dates have been set yet.
