Oregon Public Broadcasting

The home improvement giant Lowe's will pay a heavy price to settle sexual harassment claims.

Beginning this week, all of the hardware chain's Oregon and Washington operations are under court oversight.

That will last for the next three years.

Lowe's also will pay nearly $1.75 million to three former workers. They alleged they were fired after they complained about taunting or sexual propositions at the Longview, Washington store.

Plaintiffs' attorney Scott Blankenship says the size of the payout is historic.

Scott Blankenship: “It's the largest in the western United States per employee. So it's a very significant result. You know what (also) makes this different from some is that it's a public result. It's not a confidential result.”

The Lowe's company denies any wrong-doing as part of a consent decree. It promised the federal court that it will re-train its Northwest staff on what constitutes harassment and retaliation.# # #On the web:Equal Employment Opportunity Commission:http://www.eeoc.gov/press/8-21-09.htmlLowe's:www.lowes.com