Pervasive Sexual Harassment in Consulting Company
Sarah worked for a company that provided research and consulting services to insurance companies. From the beginning of her employment she was subject to multiple harassing comments by co-workers and supervisors.
These included one individual describing to her how he had masturbated to calm down after an auto accident. Another individual told her that he treated women like canoes, and "tied them up and let them float" until he was ready to "take them for a spin." She was told by another co-worker that he would help her with a work project only if he would get a "happy ending." When she reported this to her immediate supervisor, she was told that she was "asking for it." Sarah, who is gay, had done nothing to encourage or invite these offensive comments from her male colleagues. She later requested a transfer, or permission to work from home, to reduce her exposure to the individuals who were harassing her. Both were denied. Ultimately, Sarah felt she had no choice but to resign. Leaving her employment left her without financial support and without references to help her in a search for a new job. She also continued to suffer anxiety and distress as a result of her working environment. |
Need Help With a Sexual Harassment Issue?OR
|
Harassment Solution
We helped Amy with a civil lawsuit, brought under a pseudonym given the highly personal nature of the facts in the case. After some discovery, we went with her to a mediation session, and were able to negotiate a substantial settlement for her.
Postscript
If you are facing pervasive harassment at work like Sarah, you may not have to remain in an impossible situation in order to have legal claims to address the harassment. Ideally, you should consult with an employment attorney before resigning, so that you can better understand what your options are.
How Our Employment Lawyers Can Help
If you feel that you are the target of sexual behavior, misconduct or harassment, we can help. We will help you assess the situation, understand your rights and obligations, and make a plan to solve the problem. 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.
