The turmoil at Fox News continues as three new lawsuits have been filed against parent company 21st Century Fox by current and former employees. Two of the lawsuits were filed by women alleging that they were fired shortly after disclosing their pregnancies to management. The third lawsuit is a complaint by a Fox News Radio editor alleging that management took no immediate action after a Fox News radio anchor physically threatened and sexually harassed her.
The two women who were fired worked in the finance department and claim that they are also victims of racial discrimination and harassment by former comptroller, Judith Slater. Slater featured prominently in a class action lawsuit filed in April by 13 current and former employees who are black and Hispanic. Fox fired Slater in March. Other employees who also claim they experienced discrimination at Fox have filed separate actions.
Discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions is prohibited under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, an amendment to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII bars employers from any discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, or religion.
Multiple Allegations Against Fox News
Fox’s troubles began with a lawsuit against its CEO Roger Ailes last July. Former Fox anchorwoman Gretchen Carlson alleged she was terminated at Fox after refusing Ailes’s sexual advances. Fox settled the lawsuit with Carlson for $20 million on the condition that she agree not to bring further lawsuits against other network executives. In addition to the settlement payment, 21st Century Fox issued a public apology to Carlson “for the fact that she was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all of our colleagues deserve.”
Many within the Fox corporation were hoping it was the start of a change in corporate culture at the company. However, even after Ailes resigned his position of chairman and CEO, his high-level deputies were promoted, dashing hopes of the possibility of any meaningful change.
After Carlson’s victory, many other women came forward to add their stories of sexual harassment at Fox to hers. Fox network star Bill O’Reilly was also accused of harassment by multiple women and was eventually fired. A New York Times article revealed that Fox stood by O’Reilly paying out settlements to five women, totaling about $13 million. Advertisers withdrew their ads from O’Reilly’s show in protest leading to an internal investigation by the network that concluded their star had to go. Both O’Reilly and Ailes, before his recent death, continued to deny any wrongdoing.
Red Bank Sexual Harassment Lawyers at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. Fight for Victims of Sexual Harassment and Discrimination
No one should have to put up with harassment or discrimination at work. If you have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, you may be entitled to compensation. At McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C., we have broad experience in all areas of employment law. Speak to an experienced Red Bank sexual harassment lawyer about your legal options by calling us at our Red Bank office at 732-842-6500, our Marlton office at 856-985-9800, our Newark office at 973-878-9040, or by contacting us through 888-396-0736 or online.