A Minneapolis-based construction company, Ryan Companies US Inc., has agreed to pay $350,000 to settle sexual harassment and retaliation allegations in connection with a federally funded project in Des Moines, Iowa. The settlement follows a routine compliance evaluation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP).

The investigation revealed multiple instances of severe and pervasive sexual harassment, including physical and verbal abuse, between March 2021 and February 2024. Employees were reportedly retaliated against for reporting the misconduct.

"No worker should ever be illegally harassed and then retaliated against for reporting their workplace concerns and speaking with federal investigators," said OFCCP Acting Director Michele Hodge. "These actions are reprehensible violations of federal law."

OFCCP Regional Director Carmen Navarro emphasized the importance of a workplace free from harassment and retaliation: "People should be able to go to work every day and be treated with dignity and respect, not degradation and abuse. Federal contractors must provide a workplace where harassment and retaliation are unacceptable. We will tolerate nothing less."

Founded in 1938, Ryan Companies has held over $900 million in federal contracts since 2015, including projects with the U.S. General Services Administration.