Con Edison Reaches $750,000 Settlement in Harassment Lawsuit
New York, Friday, 28 March 2025.
Con Edison will pay $750,000 and undertake anti-harassment reforms following a settlement over allegations of workplace discrimination and harassment of female field workers.
Investigation Findings and Settlement Details
The settlement, announced on March 26, 2025, follows a multi-year investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James that uncovered a ‘broad culture of harassment and discrimination’ within Consolidated Edison Inc. (NYSE: ED) [1][2]. The investigation, which began in spring 2021, revealed that the utility provider, serving over 10 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, systematically failed to address discrimination complaints from female field workers [3][4].
Specific Incidents and Workplace Culture
The investigation documented several troubling patterns of workplace misconduct. Female field workers reported being blocked from promotional opportunities and subjected to exclusionary comments, including explicit statements that ‘women don’t belong in this department’ [1]. In one particularly concerning case, when a female employee reported a ‘traumatizing’ incident with a male coworker, the company’s response was to offer relocating the victim rather than addressing the perpetrator’s behavior [1]. The toxic workplace environment became so severe that at least two employees resigned, while others required mental health support due to stress and panic attacks [3].
Reform Measures and Compliance Requirements
Beyond the monetary settlement, Con Edison has agreed to implement comprehensive workplace reforms. The company will hire an independent consultant to evaluate its practices and must provide progress reports every six months for the next three years [3]. The 26-page settlement mandates the implementation of new training programs and the establishment of an employee resource group specifically focused on workplace conditions [5]. The agreement requires Con Edison to create specific avenues for employee feedback, particularly concerning improvements for women in field positions [5].
Financial and Corporate Impact
While Con Edison maintains this settlement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing [1], the company faces ongoing financial challenges. Current customers have seen their average monthly costs rise from $205 in 2022 to over $250 in 2025 [5]. The company has explicitly stated that the costs associated with this settlement will not be factored into their pending request for a $50 increase in monthly gas bills [5]. This settlement represents a significant step toward addressing workplace culture issues, though the true measure of success will depend on the effective implementation of the mandated reforms [4].