Gender Discrimination and Harassment: Jennifer's Story
Jennifer's Story
This case study sheds light on a distressing instance of gender discrimination, harassment, and unequal treatment within the workplace. Jennifer's experience at an industrial coating company presents a harrowing narrative of gender bias, mistreatment, and systemic prejudice that eventually led to her termination.
Jennifer had previously worked for the company, and was asked to return by the manager. Her journey began when she returned as an office manager. Her return marked a new chapter in her career at the company, but little did she know the challenges that lay ahead. Initially tasked with data entry, Jennifer's potential was quickly recognized, and within her first week, she received a promotion. Her starting pay was $18/hour for 40 hours a week, eventually increasing to $23/hour, complemented by bonuses and commissions. The turning point came when a new consultant entered the scene, who soon transitioned from consultant to the managing director, wielding significant influence within the company. The new managing director didn't just bring authority; he imposed it. He declared himself the "new boss" and emphasized Jennifer's subordination to him, attaching her job security to his whims. Promised commissions for reacquiring former customers remained unpaid, leaving Jennifer disillusioned. Despite the adversities, Jennifer's dedication bore fruit. She achieved a remarkable 41% increase in sales with existing customers and consistently exceeded accounts receivable goals, earning her monthly bonuses of $500. However, as time progressed, the managing director's demeanor grew increasingly hostile. He peppered his language with derogatory terms and slurs, including calling Jennifer a c***t, turning the workplace into an unbearable pressure cooker. Jennifer's escalating anxiety required daily medication to cope with the stress. He told her one day that she should "flash" her breasts to make more sales. At another point Jennifer asked if the reason another colleague had access to a part of the shop she was not in was because he was male. The next day, he told her that she “couldn’t be trusted because she had made accusations of discrimination.” Jennifer was soon demoted, and saw her pay slashed. In the meantime, management was trying to train another employee to take over Jennifer's responsibilities. That employee, however, could not stand the work environment either and resigned. By this time, threats had become commonplace, creating a palpable sense of dread in the workplace. The situation escalated to physical aggression during a meeting when the managing director threw objects and threatened dire consequences if sales goals weren't met, leaving Jennifer shaken and scared for her safety. Finally, he terminated Jennifer's employment, blaming her for the company's underperformance despite her consistent overachievement in her role. Legal ClaimsJennifer's legal claims in her case against the company included:
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Our Solution
We worked with Jennifer to identify her legal claims, and brought a claim in the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination ("MCAD") for her gender discrimination and retaliation claims. Since the companhy was not at first willing to negotiate, we removed the case from MCAD and filed in Massachusetts Superior Court, where we could conduct discovery into the underlying facts. Shortly thereafter we were able to reach a favorable settlement for Jennifer.
How Our Employment Lawyers Can Help
Are you in a similar situation? We have years of experience helping people with discrimination and retaliation issues, and we would be happy to help. You can use the button below to schedule a call back from a member of our team, or give us a call at 781-784-2322.
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