Women make up about 630,000 of the 3 million farm workers in this country, and many of them are immigrants. And for a lot of them, their immigration status may make them afraid to notify authorities of harassment. Many even see it as an "unavoidable condition" of farm work in this country, according to the new research.
]]> The author of the report says there is often an imbalance of power on farms in this respect, so abusers often get away with sexual assault or harassment.For the research, 52 farm workers were interviewed, as were social workers, attorneys and other professionals, in several states including Pennsylvania. The report apparently describes various instances of harassment or assault, including rape, fondling, vulgar language and stalking. Many of the women interviewed say they don't report such behavior because of fear of deportation.
Women who work for labor contractors were found to be more likely to be harassed than those who worked directly for farmers.
The human rights group is asking congress to pass laws that would protect female farm workers who are immigrants, possibly by relaxing laws that require police to report federal immigration violations.
In addition, the author of the report says the point of the research is to show everyone that this is a national problem, not just a few isolated incidents.
Source: Huffington Post, "Female farm workers abuse: Migrant workers commonly suffer sexual assault and harassment, human rights group says," Tracie Cone, May 16, 2012
]]>The women worked at the firm in the positions of managing director, office manager, firm administrator and administrative assistant, respectively. All of them say they were let go by 2009.
]]> According to the lawsuit, in which each woman is asking for $1 million, the president allegedly spread rumors about one of them, including that he slept with her on a business trip. He also apparently slapped another one on the buttocks and mocked her afterwards. It's also claimed that he generally referred to female employees with derogatory terms, including "witch" and "stupid."The women are saying it was no secret that such harassment went on. Their attorney says that their case is unusual because the alleged harassment was "unremitting" and happened for all to see. It's alleged that the firm's other partners, one man and one woman, knew about what was happening but did nothing to stop it.
The women say they complained once, but nothing was done about it. When they complained a second time, they were terminated out of retaliation, they say. The company and its president are vehemently denying the allegations. He's also refusing to consider a settlement, saying he would prefer to defend his reputation in court.
Source: Post Star, "Head of Queensbury accounting firm facing sexual harassment claims," Blake Jones, May 10, 2012
]]>The woman, who is Caucasian, began working for the company in August 2008. She says that an African-American co-worker exposed himself in her presence one day in November 2010. The EEOC complaint alleges she was sitting in her office when the man walked in, exposed and touched himself in front of her.
]]> She reportedly waited until he left that day to complain to management at MARTA. Directly after the incident, she claims, he was following her around and she was concerned for her own safety.The woman apparently asked that the man be arrested, but instead the case was referred for mediation. He was not fired or arrested, even though MARTA apparently acknowledged in a letter that he had engaged in "inappropriate behavior."
The woman says that she was retaliated against for filing the complaint, and that the man's black co-workers subjected her to a hostile work environment. After the inquiry concluded, she says she had to work with the man again and was the target of office rumors. She ultimately resigned in February 2011, and filed the EEOC complaint the following month.
The woman is waiting to hear back from the EEOC for a "right to sue" notification, but she will likely file a lawsuit even if she does not get one, her attorney says.
Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution, "Woman's complaint to EEOC targets MARTA," Christopher Seward, May 9, 2012
]]>The man, a former deputy, is suing a female constable for repeated inappropriate behavior, including sexual harassment. He is accusing her of crude antics, including inappropriate touching. In one instance, he claims, she came up behind him, put her blouse over his head and pressed her breasts against him.
]]> In another instance, she allegedly joked about a strip club and made motions toward the deputy as if to imitate a topless dancer. The man's lawsuit claims these are just a couple of the instances of the constable's "wild" behavior. Some reports say she is also accused of acts of "forced motorboating."The constable is adamantly denying the allegations and insisting that the former deputy's claims are at the least exaggerated. According to the Huffington Post, she says, "I'm a jester, I am not a girlie girl. I think a lot of things have been taken out of context." She claims that nothing about her behavior should have prompted a lawsuit of this nature. She also alleges that he filed the lawsuit out of retaliation because she didn't change a legal document to his liking, the Post reports.
Source: Huffington Post, "Pam Matranga, Galveston constable, sued for alleged sexual harassment by James Gist," May 7, 2012
]]>A municipal employee filed a claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, alleging that her supervisor subjected her to sexual harassment and a hostile work environment.
]]> The worker says her boss, the Town Public Works Department head, harassed her in a variety of ways, including verbally. He allegedly groped her as well. She says that after she rejected his unwanted advances he retaliated against her and treated her more harshly than other employees.The 48-year-old woman says that the sexual harassment began in the summer of 2005 and occurred in town offices and in town vehicles. She says that in addition to treating her harshly, he forced her to perform work that was not in her job description.
She claims she lost pay and suffered emotional distress as a result of the harassment. The town would not specifically confirm the claim of harassment, although it did say such a claim was filed by someone and that it was investigating. It also acknowledged that any claims involving harassment or discrimination are serious and that such behavior won't be tolerated. For his part, the supervisor vehemently denies the allegations, according to the Times Union.
Both are still employed by the town but apparently work in separate departments now. The woman is seeking unspecified monetary damages in her claim. She now reportedly works for the Rotterdam Senior Citizens' Center.
Source: Times Union, "Rotterdam town worker says ex-boss sexually harassed her on job," Paul Nelson, April 13, 2012
]]>According to the Times Free Press, the jail chief was fired for repeated violations of county and jail policy. It's not clear how long the behavior went on, but the sheriff says that as soon as officials were made aware of the alleged misconduct, swift action was taken.
]]> He tells the Times Free Press, "Obviously there are things you can't tolerate in the workplace," and notes that sexual harassment is one of them. He says that the county took "immediate action" to remedy the situation and that the firing was an "unfortunate situation." He also notes that it is his responsibility to protect his employees from threats or inappropriate behavior.Details of the allegations against the jail chief were not made available, but are said to have violated polices related to sexual harassment as detailed in the county's personnel policy manual.
A replacement for the jail administrator has already been chosen, and the sheriff seems confident with the decision to make the change.
The situation is at least in contrast with other work environments where management attempts to cover up harassment or leaves complaints unanswered. Employees have a right to be heard when they believe their rights are being violated.
Source: Times Free Press, "DeKalb County jail chief fired over sexual harassment," April 25, 2012
]]>The woman worked at a branch of Primebank Inc. She says that her supervisor began sexually harassing her back in 2008. The alleged harassment apparently included rubbing her shoulders without her permission, propositioning her, making inappropriate comments about the way she looked, and at one point pressing his body up against hers.
]]> She says she did something about it: She complained to his supervisors in 2009. While he was reprimanded, he was not removed from his position, and the woman says he used his power to retaliate against her.He allegedly took away her job responsibilities, ostracized her, denied her a raise and gave her a poor performance review. She says that conditions grew worse as she filed her lawsuit in September 2010, and by the following February she was fired, allegedly for poor job performance.
It seems that the jury believed her claims. In situations like hers, standing up and complaining against sexual harassment is brave. Anyone who does so should not worry about being retaliated against. Unfortunately, her situation is not all that uncommon. The good news is that people can pursue court proceedings if nothing else works.
Source: Sioux City Journal, "Jury awards woman $870,000 in sex harassment case," April 13, 2012
]]>The woman has since filed a lawsuit, alleging she endured sexual harassment and sexual assault while she worked at Chin Chin, a trendy Chinese eatery in New York that has attracted celebrities like Mariah Carey, Tyra Banks and Jennifer Lopez.
]]> According to the woman's lawsuit, workers at the restaurant would jokingly make inappropriate dumplings and then serve them to unsuspecting customers. She also says she was harassed and assaulted by her co-workers, who allegedly regularly watched pornography in the restaurant's kitchen every weekend. She says at least two employees groped her on a regular basis.In addition, the owner of the restaurant allegedly used racial slurs and once placed Carey in a private section of the restaurant because she was "high on drugs," the lawsuit says. (Carey's attorney vigorously denied that allegation.)
The former employee, who worked at Chin Chin from 2007 until last October, is seeking unspecified damages in her lawsuit. The owner of the restaurant is not surprisingly denying the allegations, calling them "frivolous" and "ridiculous nonsense," according to the New York Post.
Source: New York Post, "Workers at trendy Chinese restaurant make 'phallic' dumplings: suit," Bruce Golding, April 12, 2012
]]>According to a lawsuit filed by the women last week, they were apparently exposed to sexual harassment, a hostile work environment and inappropriate touching, among other things. They also say they were subjected to unfair working conditions and had their sales sabotaged.
]]> The women, both of whom have not worked for the company since the first quarter of 2012, say the conduct extended to a wide range of people, from the CEO and general manager to a new-car manager and lease coordinator.Among the allegedly inappropriate behavior that took place: The general manager and another employee pulled down their pants in front of them; the CEO repeatedly hugged and kissed one of them; one employee grabbed their buttocks; and the new-car manager made animal noises whenever women walked by.
The women also say that their sales were sabotaged by their male counterparts and that their trades were underused, which affected their income. One of them also says that she was forced to drive a dirty, faulty company vehicle that was less desirable than what was used by male employees.
One of the women, who is 58, worked as a fleet sales worker, while her 28-year-old co-plaintiff was employed as a sales consultant, according to the Pioneer Press.
Source: Pioneer Press, "Former Midway Ford employees claim sexual harassment, discrimination," Emily Gurnon, April 13, 2012
]]>The alleged harassment apparently occurred when the district clerk and some of his staffers were at a conference last year. The man apparently pounded on the hotel room door shared by the woman and a chief executive officer early one morning. He apparently wanted to be let in for a late-night rendezvous. The women apparently refused to answer the door, after which he requested that another employee have them kicked out of the hotel. The CEO ultimately filed complaints about his behavior.
]]> It's not clear whether the complaint was in writing or was verbal. In any case, she was fired shortly thereafter and is alleging it was out of retaliation for complaining about the man's behavior. In addition, she was apparently not allowed to file a grievance in her firing, the Daily News reports.The county district attorney would not confirm or deny that the district clerk was being investigated, but other sources apparently confirmed that a special prosecutor and investigator were looking into the matter. The district clerk did not comment on the allegations.
Source: Galveston Daily News, "District clerk faces sexual harassment complaint," T.J. Aulds, April 15, 2012
]]>The 52-year-old man has been with the department for 25 years, previously serving as a lieutenant and a captain. When the councilwoman was running for the town board in 2009, she allegedly approached him. He claims that she told him that if he supported her, she would support him in the future. According to court papers, once she was elected she lobbied for him to get the assistant police chief job.
]]> He also says that she pressured him for a romantic relationship and sexually harassed him, making unwanted sexual advances. She also apparently accused him of dating other women. He ultimately filed a complaint of harassment with the town last summer, and then filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.Soon after that, he says, the town brought charges against him, accusing him of violating regulations relating to the treatment of a female recruit.
The town is denying the allegations, noting it would step up with a vigorous defense, adding that there was no wrongdoing on the councilwoman's part. She, too, is calling the assistant police chief's claims "spurious."
The man's attorney, meanwhile, says the lawsuit isn't about money. According to the Buffalo News, the lawsuit was filed to protect the man's reputation and his "longstanding, productive career."
Source: Buffalo News, "Hamburg assistant police chief claims retaliation after sex complaint," Barbara O'Brien, April 8, 2012
]]>The woman began working for the department as a firefighter and paramedic in 2005. She says that immediately after she was hired, she was told she didn't need to work because of her husband's salary and that "women belong in the kitchen."
]]> According to the Miami Herald, several of her male colleagues apparently told her they didn't want to work with a woman. One man apparently walked in on her when she was taking a shower. When she requested a lock for the door she was only given a broom handle.She has even more serious accusations than that, including death threats. At one point, she says, she found a picture of her with an "X" over her face with the message, "Next Fire Last Fire Liar," which she perceived as a threat on her life.
Her co-workers' behavior apparently began to damage her physically, she says. She apparently had chest pains and threw up blood. She ultimately filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the federal lawsuit nearly two years ago.
The woman's attorney says the jury's verdict is significant because the department had still been attempting to fire her. Although the jury agreed with her on the sexual harassment claim, a claim of retaliation was passed over.
In her lawsuit, the woman sought damages for her mental anguish and emotional pain. The city's legal office has already filed motions to overturn the verdict.
Source: Miami Herald, "Female Miami Beach firefighter awarded $700,000 in sexual harassment case," David Smiley, April 5, 2012
]]>That question stems from a case in which four women claimed they were harassed repeatedly when they worked at a golf club. The harassment and discrimination apparently took place when the women worked at the club between 2008 and 2011. One of them worked as a bartender and the other three were servers.
]]> The women, who are ages 22, 25, 30 and 34, respectively, say their supervisors, a pair of brothers, harassed them on a regular basis. One of the brothers apparently cornered one of the women, grabbed her and kissed her at one point. Their behavior also allegedly included sexual propositions and inappropriate touching.The women, who filed a lawsuit against the brothers, say they repeatedly asked them to stop and even went to the club's Human Resources director and the general manager, who apparently would not listen to a tape recording that revealed some of the harassment.
Some of the women say they had to undergo therapy as a result of the misconduct. They also maintain that they felt unsafe and lost income. Their lawsuit is seeking $50,000 in damages for several counts, including the sexual harassment and resulting emotional distress.
Attorneys for the golf club say the case is without merit, according to the Star Tribune.
Source: Star Tribune, "Women allege harassment at Minneapolis golf club," Abby Simons, April 3, 2012
]]>The woman, who was hired in 2007, resigned in November of last year, saying she could no longer take the harassment. During her first year with the department, she says the chief, who at that time was a captain, would walk up behind her and rub her shoulders without her consent. He would also apparently stand so close to her that she could feel his breath on her neck, she says.
]]> He also made inappropriate regarding her body, she says. At one point he told her, in front of a supervisor, that he was thinking of her bending over a file cabinet.She says she confronted him in 2009 after he was promoted to chief. She says she told him that she wanted him to stop harassing her and that she didn't want to have to sue him. He apparently replied that he respected her feelings but didn't feel that he had harassed her.
Even though his behavior stopped for a time, the woman says the chief's harassment resumed, leading her to quit. At the time of her resignation she apparently didn't give a reason, but says she later spoke up about the harassment because women deserve to be treated with respect.
She ultimately filed a complaint and her case is being investigated by the antidiscrimination commission. A lawsuit may be filed as well.
Not surprisingly, the department is sticking by the chief and is denying the allegations of harassment.
Source: Boston.com, "Lexington stands by police chief in sexual harassment case," Brock Parker, March 27, 2012
]]>The woman, who was not named because she was a victim of sexual assault, was employed by Aaron's as a customer service representative at the time of the alleged harassment. Her lawsuit says that her supervisor, a store manager, sexually assaulted and harassed her when she worked for the company in 2006.
]]> According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the woman claims that her supervisor asked her to perform acts of a sexual nature in exchange for gifts. Her lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in 2008.In the original verdict, jurors found the company liable for negligent supervision and awarded the plaintiff $95 million. However, it was later determined exceeded the amount allowed by federal law by $50 million. The verdict was ultimately reduced to $39.8 million by the U.S. District Court. The man who allegedly attacked the employee was acquitted at a criminal trial.
Despite the reduction of the verdict, representatives for Aaron's still said the amount was "monstrously excessive" and agreed with the court that the jury failed to understand instructions, or else purposefully disregarded them. Their decision was also called the "product of passion or prejudice," according to the Journal Constitution.
Surely others would disagree.
Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution, "Aaron's settles sexual harassment suit," Arielle Kass, March 27, 2012
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