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Sexual Harassment of Restaurant Worker

Employer Retaliation for Reporting Sexual Harassment
Anna worked at a restaurant that was part of a national chain.  
Almost immediately after she met her manager, he began sexually harassing her.  On the first day, he asked for her phone number.  On the second day, he researched her home address and began talking to her about how close he lived to her.  In the following weeks, he 
would repeatedly rub her shoulders, touch her waist, approach her when she was alone in the employee coat room, and on two occasions groped her inner thigh.  He also asked personal and probing questions about what she did outside of work.

After she reported him, the manager pulled her into his office, locked the door, and threatened her with her job if she continued to complain about his behavior.

The individual above him was also unhelpful,  and told her that if she went over his head and reported to upper management, it would ruin her chances of promotion, and that this wasn't worth losing her job over
.


Finally, Anna requested a meeting with corporate Human Resources, at which she described everything that had happened to her over the past few months.  She was terminated on her next scheduled shift after this meeting.

The termination itself was devastating to Anna.  She and her two young children were evicted from their apartment, lost their car, and had to move in with a family member in order to survive.  Equally devastating was the humiliation and stress she experienced daily at the hands of the General Manager, and the frustration and despair of the indifferent response she received from others in the company.

Need Help With a Sexual Harassment Issue?

Call (781) 784-2322
OR
Schedule a Free Information Call

Wondering if You Have a Claim for Sexual Harassment?

Our Solutions Roadmap is a quick and easy way to share the details of what you are facing and receive preliminary feedback from a member of our team.  Use the button below to get started- it is 100% confidential and 100% free.
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Harassment Solution

We filed a complaint on Anna's behalf with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination ("MCAD") against the company and the General Manager.  By the time the complaint was served, the General Manager had left the state and was no long affiliated with the company.  He never responded to the complaint or participated in the litigation.

During the MCAD proceeding, we went to mediation and were able to obtain a settlement for Anna to compensate her for the harm she suffered as a result of reporting sexual harassment in the workplace.

Postscript

Anna was able to get back on her feet as a result of the settlement, and also get some measure of satisfaction that the employer had been held accountable for its indifference and retaliatory actions.

If you are in a similar situation, remember that both the harassment itself and retaliation are unlawful.  You have the right to report inappropriate behavior, and to be free from threats, intimidation, demotion or termination as a result of your good faith report.

How Our Employment Lawyers Can Help

NDA and sexual harassment MA employment attorney Emily Smith-Lee
10.0Emily E. Smith-Lee
Sexual Harassment Lawyer nondisclosure Massachusetts Super Lawyers
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.
Schedule a Free Information Call

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  • Home
  • Employment Law
    • Guide To Employment Law Content
    • Advice for Employers >
      • Hiring Independent Contractors in Massachusetts
      • Termination Best Practices
      • Workplace Discrimination Employer Guide
      • Employee Handbook >
        • Employee Handbook Basics
      • Paid Family Leave and Your Small Business
      • Overtime Law for Employers
      • Employee Complaints About Pay
      • Employee Non Competes
    • Advice for Employees >
      • Discrimination in the Workplace
      • Sexual Harassment at Work >
        • Sexual Harassment Resources
        • Sexual Harassment in a Small Business
        • Constructive Discharge
        • Sexual Harassment and Non Disclosure Agreements
        • Sexual Harassment and Remote Work
        • Sexual Harassment Case Studies
      • Massachusetts Paid Family Leave
      • Non Compete Agreements >
        • Are non competes enforceable
        • Massachusetts Non Compete Act
        • Pre 2018 Massachusetts Non Competes
        • Non Compete Case Studies
        • Can I Avoid My Non Compete
      • Independent Contractor Law >
        • Independent Contractor Test
        • Working As Independent Contractor
        • Independent Contractor Case Studies
        • Independent Contractor Roadmap
      • Wage and Hour Laws >
        • Massachusetts Minimum Wage
        • Overtime Law >
          • Overtime Exemptions
          • Employee Travel Time
          • Federal or State Overtime Law
        • Overtime Law Case Studies
        • Massachusetts Wage Act >
          • Payment of Commissions
          • Wage Deductions
          • Late Payment of Wages
          • Paid Time Off
        • Wage Act Case Studies
        • What Are Your Wage and Hour Rights
      • Employment Contracts in Massachusetts >
        • Restrictive Covenants
        • Promissory Estoppel
      • Employment Termination >
        • Severance Pay
        • Should I Accept a Severance?
      • Do I Have a Case?
    • Unemployment in Massachusetts >
      • Unemployment Overpayment
      • Pandemic Unemployment
      • Unemployment Case Studies
  • Estate Planning
    • Guide To Estate Planning Content
    • Legacy Protection >
      • Why You Need an Estate Plan >
        • Why You Don't Have an Estate Plan
      • Massachusetts Estate Tax
      • Asset Protection Trusts
      • Children with Special Needs
      • Planning for Assisted Living
    • Is Your Will Enough >
      • Special Circumstances >
        • Estate Planning for Blended Families
        • Estate Planning for a Non Citizen Spouse
        • Estate Planning and Divorce
        • Estate Planning for Small Business Owners
      • Surviving Spouse's Share
      • Disinheriting Children Massachusetts
      • Updating Your Estate Plan
    • Estate Planning Documents >
      • What is a Trust >
        • Revocable trust
        • Irrevocable trust
        • Irrevocable vs revocable trust
      • Last Will and Testament
      • Durable Power of Attorney
      • Massachusetts Health Care Proxy
      • Life Estates in Massachusetts
      • Massachusetts Pet Trust
    • Probate Process >
      • Non Probate Assets
  • Business Law
    • Guide To Business Law Content
    • Small Business Law
    • Business Contract Basics
    • Civil Suit Defense
    • Legal Issues for Start Ups
    • Trademark Basics
    • How to Incorporate
    • Sale of Business
  • About
    • Reviews
    • Slnlaw Offices
    • slnlaw core values
    • Publications and Interviews
    • New Client Intake and Consultation
    • Contact
  • Attorneys
    • Emily Smith-Lee >
      • 2018 Lawyer of the Year
    • Rebecca Rogers
    • Sharleen Tinnin
    • Elijah Bresley
  • Legal FAQs
    • Estate Planning FAQs
    • Probate FAQs
    • Small Business FAQs
    • Wage Act FAQs
    • Commission Pay FAQs
    • Overtime FAQs
    • Independent Contractor FAQs
    • Non Compete FAQs
    • Employment Discrimination FAQs
    • Employment Termination FAQs
    • Massachusettts Unemployment FAQs
    • Severance Package FAQs
    • Medical Leave FAQs
    • Sexual Harassment FAQs
    • Employer FAQs
    • Civil Lawsuit FAQs
  • Blog