Being a firefighter is still often considered a man's domain, but women are trying to break through in the profession. Unfortunately, co-workers don't always treat them kindly. One woman in Kauai says she was harassed on the job, and a male co-worker who tried to help her faced retaliation. Now they've won a $215,000 settlement for the harassment and retaliation.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the lawsuit on behalf of the firefighters in 2010 against ITT Corp., a New York-based technology engineering and manufacturing company. It apparently operates out of Kauai's Pacific Missile Range Facility.

The female firefighter, one of only two in ITT's private firefighting service, was apparently harassed by male employees at work. She says the male workers forced her to watch sexually explicit shows at work in 2006, according to the Star Advertiser.

She reportedly complained about the harassment, to no avail. The male firefighter who tried to help her was apparently reassigned out of retaliation as well. As for the woman, she says management also reassigned her and simply told her try to get along with people.

ITT did not comment on the lawsuit or the settlement, according to reports. While it agreed to pay $215,000 in the settlement, it did not admit to any guilt. The settlement proceeds were to be paid to the two firefighters under the terms of a three-year consent decree signed by ITT, the Star Ledger reports.

The U.S. EEOC announced the settlement late last week.

Source: Star Advertiser, "Kauai employer pays 2 firefighters in discrimination, retaliation lawsuit," Greg K. Kakesako, Aug. 18, 2011