A Disney Channels Worldwide executive recently filed a sexual harassment lawsuit claiming that she was fired from her job after reporting a company vice president for sexual harassment. In the suit, the employee claims that her boss used threats, intimidation, a series of poor performance evaluations, and demotion to harass her for two years before she was ultimately fired.
The plaintiff in the lawsuit alleges comments of a sexist nature being made to her and two of her coworkers by the vice president while he was helping them prepare for a presentation in February 2015. The women claimed that the vice president told them that their attractiveness would make up for their lack of presentation skills, and then asked one of the presenters why she wasn’t wearing heels on the day of the presentation. The women also claimed that he told them to speak in deeper vocal tones so that they would be taken more serious by colleagues.
The plaintiff reported these complaints to her senior manager who then took them to a corporate senior vice president. The senior vice president gave the defendant a verbal warning. Following this reprimand, the defendant allegedly threw a “temper tantrum” that included verbal threats of termination and revenge against the plaintiff. Bullying behavior such as yelling, using intimidation to deter other employees from reporting him, excluding the plaintiff from corporate social events, and encouraging colleagues to not speak to the plaintiff persisted for two years.
The plaintiff made a formal complaint to the corporate human resources department. After an internal investigation, the company determined that the defendant acted inappropriately but not illegally. They gave him a verbal warning against such behavior. The plaintiff claims the harassment continued, followed by retaliation that included a demotion, poor performance evaluations, and being relieved of several of her job responsibilities. She was ultimately fired in July 2017.
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination and is in direct violation of federal laws under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Repeated remarks of a sexist nature in the workplace is considered a form of sexual harassment. Federal and state laws protect those who report discrimination, file a discrimination charge, testify, or participate in any way in an investigation, proceeding, or litigation from retaliation in any form, including harassment, demotion, or termination. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces anti-discrimination laws and can bring legal action against violators.
Red Bank Sexual Harassment Lawyers at the Law Firm of McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. Advocate for Victims of Sexual Discrimination
If you or someone you know has been a victim of workplace harassment, the experienced Red Bank sexual harassment lawyers at the law firm of McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. can help you claim the justice and compensation you deserve. Call us at 732-842-6500, or contact us online to schedule a consultation today.
Our offices are located in Red Bank, Newark and Marlton, New Jersey, and we serve clients throughout the state, including those in Middletown, Long Branch, Old Bridge, Freehold, Hazlet, Howell, Wall, Brick, Edison, and East Brunswick.