Posts Tagged ‘Sexual Harassment Attorney’
Florida Travel Agency to Pay $20 Million in Sexual Harassment Case
May 2nd, 2013
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
Tampa, FL- A Florida jury has awarded $20 million to eight former employees of a Largo travel agency who were subjected to repeated sexual harassment at the hands of their managers.
Last year, seven women and one man filed lawsuits against Four Amigos Travel Inc. and Top Dog Travel Inc., two travel agencies that sell Florida vacation packages over the phone, alleging that the general manager of the Largo facility and eight managers subjected the women to daily sexual harassment
Four Amigos Travel and Top Dog have sales offices in Largo, Orlando, and Ft. Lauderdale.
In 2008, two women went to the EEOC and complained of a number of degrading and humiliating incidents. According to the initial complaints, during sales meetings, the sales manager would discuss “ways to please a woman.”
Among their many complaints, one woman claimed a sales manager forced his knee between her legs and made a vulgar comment and another sales manager pressed his body against a female employee saying, “That’s what I needed.” the Tampa Bay Times reported.
The women alleged that male managers would proposition female employees for sex in the restrooms and touched them inappropriately. The Tampa Bay Times noted that some of the harassment victims were older women up to age 61.
After an investigation, the EEOC determine the two women’s claims had merit and filed their lawsuit in 2011. At least five other female employees came forward with similar allegations and one male manager who was fired for reporting the harassment to the company joined in the lawsuit.
On Wednesday, after a two day trial a jury awarded $20 million to the eight complainants. The EEOC represented five of the plaintiffs, who will each receive $200,000 for damages and back pay; settlements for punitive damages in federal lawsuits are capped.
The other three plaintiffs including the manager, who was fired, had their own sexual harassment attorney and will receive a larger portion of the settlement since there is not settlement cap on private civil lawsuits.
“This was a long journey for these women who were forced to work under unspeakable conditions at this workplace,” Gregory Lee McClinton, the EEOC’s lead attorney in the case, said according to the Tampa Bay Times.
The settlement in this case was large, but the attorney representing three of the plaintiffs, Patrice Pucci told the Tampa Bay Times that the victims may have trouble collecting the settlement since the defendants didn’t even show up for the two day trial.
It is possible for the travel agency to appeal the judgment, especially if they think the judgment is too large.
Also last month a Washington D.C. judge overturned a multi- million dollar settlement awarded to female lifeguard who was harassed by one of her male supervisors. The jury was so disgusted by her treatment that they awarded her $3.5 million, but the presiding judge reverse the settlement stating it was “so great as to shock the conscience,” and that it was “inordinately large.” The judge offered the plaintiff a reduced settlement or another trial over the judgment amount.
Elite Manhattan Athletic Club Facing Allegations of Sexual Harassment
November 26th, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
New York, NY- The New York Athletic Cub is in damage control mode after a former employee filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the exclusive club, alleging use of racial slurs and repeated harassment on behalf of the club’s managers.
Keisi Ballenilla worked for the athletic club for five years and she alleges that during that time she was repeatedly sexually harassed by managers and the club took no action. Often allegations would be deemed “unfounded” after a very brief investigation.
According to court documents, which were obtained exclusively by The New York Post, club guests and managers were not reprimanded when they used racial slurs against or sexually harassed workers.
The documents included testimony from Elvis Lopez who has worked security for the club since 2005. In his testimony Lopez said there was “a lot of discrimination from management toward the employees – and club members also, toward employees,” The Post reported.
According to Lopez’s testimony, one member of the club allegedly showed one of the female coat-check workers pictures of men in bikini briefs. Ballenilla, who was a server in the club’s restaurant, stated that her boss, Nesim Zuberi, often requested sex from her in return for giving her work. Lopez affirmed that Zuberi used his power to get favors from staff.
Although, the racial discrimination, sexual harassment and other unethical behaviors were prevalent the employees feared they would retaliated against if they reported the rampant abuse.
The club asked a Manhattan court to impose a confidentiality agreement on the case, but the court refused to do so.
Standing up to employer about discrimination and harassment can be difficult because their complaints are disregarded or they could be retaliated against. Victims of a hostile work environment must often turn to New York sexual harassment attorney to put an end to their abuse and get them compensation.
Jackson State Athletic Director Accused of Female-on Female Sexual Harassment and Retaliation; How did the University Respond?
November 21st, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
Jackson, MS- A former female secretary for the Jackson State University athletic department has filed a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against athletic director Vivian Fuller and the school.
Athletic Department secretary Lolita Ward, who was employed with JSU between 2004 and 2001, alleges that Fuller once looked down her blouse and “wiggled” her tongue in a sexually suggestive manner and also made lewd gestures comments about Ward’s legs, according to The Clarion-Ledger.
Ward rejected the advances and claims that Fuller became hostile towards her. Just two months after Fuller took the athletic director position Ward was fired.
The EEOC lawsuit says, “Plaintiff Ward was subjected to disparate treatment and retaliation in her workplace because of her gender and in retaliation for making complaints about the sexual harassment.”
JSU officials deny the allegations and have asked the court to dismiss the case and award them defendant and attorney’s fees.
Ward is asking for $500,000 in damages for emotional distress and lost wages; she is also seeking to have her job reinstated.
Same-sex cases of sexual harassment are becoming increasingly common. Recently a federal judge orders an upscale New York Steakhouse to pay millions to male waiters after one of their male supervisors groped and grabbed them.
Nobody has to tolerate discrimination, harassment or retaliation. If a person has taken the steps to stop this kind of misconduct to no avail they have the right to hire a sexual harassment attorney and hold an employer accountable for their unwillingness to protect them from abuse.
Did the University Of Iowa Ignore Sexual Harassment in their Athletic Department?
November 19th, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
Iowa City, IA- Following last week’s abrupt resignation of Peter Gray, athletic director at University of Iowa, the school has promised to institute policies address sexual harassment. But did they ignore the problem to begin with?
Gray, 56, is accused of sexually harassing students and colleagues for over a decade. Some of the victims accused Gray of rubbing their shoulders, hugging, and touching the genitals of student athletes. Gray has admitted to some touching but denies allegations that he grabbed a student’s genitals.
Gray also gave out football tickets in exchange for receiving nude photographs of someone not affiliated with the university. A report also revealed that he had inappropriate photos on his work computer.
A confidential report leaked to The Iowa City Press-Citizen, revealed that allegations against Gray dated back to 1993, when he was initially hired at the university. He left Iowa in 1995, but was rehired in 2001. Since his rehire, several students and colleagues complained about Gray’s behavior, but the university took no action.
The leak of the classified documents indicates that in addition to the university being aware of the harassment, school officials also tried to keep the case quiet.
Sarah Mason, University of Iowa President apologized for school’s failure to properly address the allegations.
Athletics is big business for a university or college and they often take extraordinary steps to protect their reputation. The most glaring example of this is Penn State, where numerous college officials covered up the on-going sexual abuse of young boys by Coach Jerry Sandusky.
No one has to tolerate harassment on the job or while they are attending university. Victims of this abuse can retain a sexual harassment attorney if their supervisors or other officials refuse to take the misconduct seriously.
Famous New York Steakhouse Pays $600,000 in Sexual Harassment Settlement
November 15th, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
A legendary New York steakhouse is paying $600,000 to settle a sexual harassment claim. Sparks Steak House, the site of a mafia murder in the 1980s, is settling after a male manager was accused of sexually harassing 22 male waiters at the restaurant. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Sparks Steak House failed to stop the unwanted sexual conduct that took place over nearly eight years. The manager was accused of groping the male waiters, making lewd sexual comments to them and trying to touch their genitals.
Some of the waiters complained about the incidents, but the harassment persisted. The EEOC also said that some of the victims who came forward were retaliated against.
While many people may think sexual harassment is something that occurs between opposite sexes, with the woman as the victim, according to the EEOC, roughly 16 percent of all sexual harassment incidents reported are filed by men. The agency explains it has filed an increasing number of lawsuits involving male victims and hopes to send a message that any type of unwanted sexual misconduct is unacceptable.
Aside from the monetary settlement, Sparks has been ordered to establish a hotline for reporting discrimination and sexual harassment, update their sexual harassment policy and conduct anti-discrimination training for employees.
Have you been the victim of discrimination or harassment? If so, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your pain and suffering with the help of a sexual harassment attorney.
Sexual harassment can be anything from a mild joke to a serious physical attack. Regardless of what you have been through, trust that sexual harassment lawyers will work diligently to help you obtain justice. Contact an attorney near you today to discuss your options and file a case.
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Grand Slam? New Mexico IHOP Franchises Settle Sexual Harassment Lawsuit for $1 Million
November 14th, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
Albuquerque, NM- The owner of six International House of Pancakes franchises Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties have agreed to pay $1 million to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the EEOC.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the lawsuit in 2011 on behalf of female employees, including teenagers, who said they were subjected to unwanted comments and touching by a manger that was shuffled around to different IHOP franchises. The women alleged that the franchise owner failed to adequately address the harassment which was so prevalent that some of the women quit their jobs.
The settlement filed against Famim Adi the owner of Mantanio Inc. is the second-largest settlement for a sexual harassment case received by the Albuquerque office of the EEOC.
The settlement funds will be split between 22 women named in the suit.
In addition to the settlement, Matanio Inc. will have to provide a workplace that is free from sex discrimination and retaliation.
Mary Jo O’Neill who works at the Phoenix office of the EEOC said, “Management must constantly be reminded of their obligation to maintain work places where the employees are not subject to illegal harassment or forced to quit because of the harassment,” according to Bizjournals.
Though it is an employer’s responsibility to prevent and stop incidents of harassment or discrimination, they frequently fail to do so, leaving victims no other alternative than to retain a sexual harassment attorney. A lawyer can not only make an employer address their problems, but they can also make certain the harassed person or persons are compensated for their emotional distress.
Has a Waffle House CEO Cooked his Last Breakfast Meal?
November 14th, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
Waffle House CEO Joe W. Rogers was accused of sexual harassment and on Tuesday, he issued his first statement acknowledging that he did in fact have sexual encounters with a personal employee over an eight-year period. However, he contends the acts were consensual.
“I am a victim of my own stupidity, but I am not going to be a victim of a crime — extortion,” said Rogers in a written statement distributed by his sexual harassment attorney.
The employee, whose name has not been revealed because she has claimed sexual harassment, accused Rogers of fondling her against her will and forcing her to perform sexual acts beginning in 2003. According to the woman, she put up with the incidents because she could not afford to quit her job, but eventually resigned after her son went to college on a full scholarship.
Rogers denies the claims, but apologized for the pain that the “infrequent consensual sexual encounters” had caused his family.
Sexual harassment can be anything from a mild sexual joke to a severe physical incident such as unwanted touching or rape. No matter what the incidents involve, however, victims have a right to seek legal help. If you or someone you know has experienced any form of unwelcomed sexual conduct, turn to a leading sexual harassment lawyer to file a case and protect your rights.
Sexual harassment lawyers will fight for your case to ehlp you obtain compensation for your pain and suffering, as well as to increase the chances that the offender is brought to justice. Are you tired of suffering in a hostile work environment? If so, schedule a consultation today with a top attorney near you to get started on your case.
Queens Doorman Files Complaint Following Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Incident
November 13th, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
A former Queens condo doorman has filed a complaint after claiming he was fired for complaining about a sexual harassment and discrimination incident.
Jerry Laraque worked at the luxury condo The Foundry in Long Island City, and says he was fired after complaining to board members and the property manager that a building superintendent sexually harassed him as well as insulted him with racial slurs.
Laraque alleges super John Olivieri made several racist remarks at him as well as pinned him against a wall with a broomstick against his neck. In addition, Laraque alleges Olivieri asked him to perform oral sex on him and twice tried to stick his tongue in Laraque’s mouth.
“He humiliated me many times,” Laraque, 30, told the Daily News.
“These are very serious allegations and we intend to hold him (Olivieri) accountable,” said Laraque’s sexual harassment lawyer, Kenneth Thompson.
Laraque began working at The Foundry as a security guard in 2008 and was promoted to doorman after a few months following his good performance. The sexual harassment allegedly began when Olivieri was a painting contractor for the building and grew worse once he was hired as the superintendent.
Laraque said he complained to “many people,” including board members, but nothing was ever accomplished.
“They sent me to the management, back-and-forth, and nothing was done,” he told The News. “They don’t take it seriously.”
Property manager Robert Swiderski said he fired Laraque last January citing poor performance and claiming Laraque got into an argument with another employee.
Have you been the victim of sexual harassment or discrimination? If so, turn to a sexual harassment attorney immediately to file a case and protect your rights. Your attorney will do everything in their power to help you obtain compensation for your pain and suffering.
Do Women Tend to Ignore Sexual Harassment? And Why?
November 13th, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
New York, NY- Despite the laws and our ability to recognize how toxic sexual harassment can be to a work environment, the problem is still pervasive. Hardly a day goes by without hearing of yet another harassment allegation or suit being lobbied against and employer.
On this site, we previously discussed how other women had negative views about women who didn’t report sexual harassment and how they would react if they saw or were the target of harassment, but there are numerous reasons why people don’t file a complaint.
The Maya Risman law firm of New York conducted a survey of 9,000 clerical and professional women found that 92 percent of respondents experienced some sort of harassment either through inappropriate touching, sexually- charged comments about their bodies, and leering.
If harassment is so pervasive in the workplace why do women ignore the behavior or refuse to report it? According to over half of the respondents to the survey said they knew of a person who had quit or had been fired because they filed a complaint. And 75 percent believed nothing would be done if they complained about harassment to a supervisor.
These respondent’s fears are echoed by what actually happens in the work place. Women and men for that matter, who complain about harassment are often ignored or retaliated against.
A 2011 Washington-Post/ ABC News survey found that 6 out of 10 women are sexually harassed at work. Among those surveyed 29 percent felt that the harassment was not significant enough to report, and when faced with the possibility of losing a job women simply tolerate it because they can’t risk losing their jobs.
Despite the legal protections, women and men let these uncomfortable incidents go. It sends a strong message to a harasser if you report an incident and find that your job is in jeopardy, a New York sexual harassment attorney will hold your employer accountable and make them pay for not taking your allegations seriously.
Will a Brevard County School Teacher be Terminated Following Sexual Harassment Allegations?
The superintendent of the Brevard County School District has released new data regarding an investigation into a Brevard County band director who was accused of sexual harassment and hazing.
J. Bernard Wilkins, the band director at Heritage High School in Palm Bay, was accused of making inappropriate sexual comments and physical abuse, in addition to making mishandling band funds. According to Wilkins, some of the sexual comments made to students were so graphic, he couldn’t put them in public record. He has recommended Wilkins be fired and never allowed to return to the school.
An investigation into the incidents revealed that Wilkins also made racially derogatory comments to the students. Among the physical abuse, Wilkins was accused of beating on a child’s chest with drumsticks to the point it left bruises.
The school board will vote on Wilkins’ termination next Tuesday.
Have you been subjected to unwanted sexual comments or inappropriate touching? If so, you may be entitled to file a claim against your offender. Speak to a sexual harassment lawyer to discuss your options and see if you qualify for compensation.
Many sexual harassment victims may be eligible to receive money damages for their pain and suffering, and hiring a sexual harassment attorney will help ensure that the best possible outcome for your case is attained. Your legal representative will also see to it that everything is done so as to make sure the offender is brought to justice and never harms you or another victim again.
For more information on filing a case, turn to a sexual harassment lawyer today and schedule a consultation. With legal assistance, you can fight for your rights and make sure that you are rid of your workplace hostility.