Those who work in the country's legal system, of all people, should be familiar with laws that are designed to protect employees' rights. But a woman who worked as a court's probate register says a slew of sexual harassment policies were violated. She includes allegations of quid pro quo sexual harassment and other violations in her lawsuit filed earlier this month against a judge, the county and the county's probate court.

The woman says she first worked as the probate register for the judge in May 1995. Her federal lawsuit claims the judge discriminated against her and harassed her by forcing her into a sexual relationship and threatening to fire her when she refused to divorce her husband.

The employee maintains that the judge's sexual advances were unwelcome. For example, one afternoon he allegedly asked her to his home under the pretenses of returning a county credit card. But she claims he attempted to extract a quid pro quo sexual relationship with her. After announcing their relationship to the court staff and others, he allegedly told her to resign or that she would be fired, according to Tuscola Today.

The woman is reportedly seeking at least $75,000 in damages. Her claims include violations of the Equal Protection Act; sexual harassment in violation of Title VII and the Michigan Elliot Larson Civil Rights Act; quid pro quo sexual harassment; and hostile work environment.

The woman ultimately resigned from her position as the probate register in October 2010.

Source: Tuscola Today, "Former judge faces sexual harassment lawsuit," Mary Drier, Nov. 9, 2011