State lender Caixa to pay BRL 10 mi over sexual harassment by ex-CEO

Brazil’s state lender Caixa Econômica Federal, the state-controlled bank that administers social projects, will have to pay BRL 10 million to settle the cases of harassment committed by former CEO Pedro Guimarães. A labor court ratified the agreement between the bank and labor prosecutors Thursday (Apr. 27).

The deal saves the bank from paying fines and damages that could add up to over BRL 300 million, but it stipulates the amount must be cleared in 30 days. The money will be donated to nonprofits.

The financial institute also committed within 90 days to adopt policies to prevent moral and sexual harassment as well as discrimination. It must provide employees—including outsourced workers—with anonymous complaint channels. Each complaint must be considered in 30 days and investigated in 180 days.

Caixa is also required to implement ways to protect whistleblowers from retaliation and to offer training sessions at least once a year to tackle harassment and promote diversity in the workplace. Noncompliance may result in a daily fine of BRL 5 thousand to BRL 150 thousand.

Restitution

In an event celebrating 100 days of her management, the institution’s current CEO Rita Serrano talked about the deal and argued for the restitution of resources by Guimarães, who led the institution during the Bolsonaro government.

“Caixa will pay, of course. It will comply, as it is a ruling from the labor court, but Caixa will file a lawsuit for the reimbursement of these values targeting the former president of Caixa, because obviously it was under his responsibility,” Serrano declared.