Art Exhibit Highlights Struggles for Women in the Construction Industry

Here is an article about a riveting art exhibit titled "On Equal Terms." The Exhibit has been featured at Brandeis University, Michigan State University Museum, and Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Center in Manhattan, but it closes this week. It shows its audience a dark side of the construction industry: the side that continues to harass and discriminate against women in the industry. As the article points out, the construction industry is pretty much the ONLY industry that has NOT seen gains for women in recent decades. Still today, only 2.6% of construction workers are women, and that is the SAME as it was 30 years ago. This art exhibit is interesting in part because it seems to offer its viewers a glimpse of a day in the life of a female construction worker. As you move through it, it seems you would get the chance to experience what it would actually be like on the job--a chance to walk a mile, or even just a step or two, in a female construction worker's work boots. I wish I'd had the chance to see it.

Dangerous Sexism - Colorlines

City of Los Angeles Contemplates Sexual Harassment Training for its Employees

Two City Council Members in Los Angeles, CA are asking the City to providing mandatory sexual harassment training to all of its employees, after two recent lawsuits. (Until now the City has provided such training only for managers.) Um, this really seems like a basic thing to me; I'm surprised the City hadn't been doing this already. But okay, good for them if they go along with the proposal and finally get with the program. I guess most private businesses STILL don't require such training, and are not required to in most cases, but I think a lot of governmental employers do. Exactly how effective such training is in actually preventing sexual harassment, I really can't say. Maybe it would depend in part on how good the training program is. But hey, at least it's something.

Sexual Harassment Lawsuits Against LA Prompt Calls For Prevention Training - Huffington Post

Southwest Virginia Community Health System Settles Sexual Harassment Suit

Southwest Virginia Community Health System (SVCHS) in Saltville, VA has settled a sexual harassment suit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of a female receptionist at the Troutdale, VA clinic. The receptionist alleged that she was sexually harassed by a male patient at the clinic and that the company failed to take action to stop the harassment after she complained about it.

Southwest Virginia Community Health System to Pay $30,000 to Settle EEOC Sexual Harassment Suit - EEOC Press Release

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Settles Sex Discrimination Suit

A female border protection agent in upstate Maine, who worked at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Coburn Gore facility near the Canadian border, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for sex discrimination after suffering years of bullying at work based on her gender. This woman's charming male supervisor allegedly made numerous comments to her about how a woman's place is in the kitchen where she'd better have dinner "hot and ready." She also made allegations of incidents of physical harassment in addition to the ongoing verbal harassment, and she claimed she was eventually terminated from her job on trumped up charges.

Well, lucky for her boss, she had a lawsuit "hot and ready" for him! And now Customs has settled the case for $285,000. Unfortunately, the nasty boss still works there, seemingly with no real consequences or repercussions (an all too common occurrence), and she is now working as a store clerk. Hopefully this money will help her get back on her feet and back into law enforcement where she wants to be.

Maine Border Protection Agent Wins Six-Figure Discrimination Settlement - mpbn.net

Ex-Mayor of San Diego Bob Filner Pleads Guilty to Criminal Charges in Sexual Harassment Scandal

Bob Filner has now pleaded guilty to criminal false imprisonment and battery charges in connection with his extensive and egregious (and now apparently admitted) sexual harassment of numerous City of San Diego employees. At least he is "manning up," as they say in sexist terms.

It is unfortunate for Democrats that this happened with the first Democratic mayor in San Diego in twenty years--and within nine months of him taking office. Unfortunately, when an office is this political, and there had been a lot of bipartisan animosity brewing in this office in recent years, this kind of thing, in some ways, gives all Democrats a bad rap. Some democrats have written this off as a shameless political smear campaign, but it's clear by this point that the charges are substantiated. Maybe another democrat will step up who is NOT so pervy!

Lessons from Ex-San Diego Mayor Filner's Sex Harassment Scandal - L.A. Times

Sushi Den in Denver, CO Faces Charges of Sexual Harassment and Discrimination

Four employees of Sushi Den in Denver, CO have filed Charges of Discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against the restaurant for sexual harassment and sex discrimination. (Note: The news refers to suing and complaints, but that is somewhat incorrect as this is just an administrative charge and NOT a lawsuit, YET.)  Some of the allegations are that male owners and managers told the women they were not as smart as males and lacked the common sense of men. There are also allegations of systemic failure to promote women to management and chef positions and incidents of physical touching and lewd remarks.

Sushi Den Named in EEOC Complaint for Sexual Harassment - The Denver Post

Sushi Den: Investigator Discredits Female Employees’ Discrimination Complaint - kdvr.com

Well, shoot, thankfully these women at least have the SMARTS and COMMON SENSE to pursue their claims! That's all I can say. Dang! I have only eaten at this restaurant once, many years ago, but it is supposedly one of the best sushi restaurants in Denver. I did read somewhere, though, that they had ongoing issues with food and safety inspections as well:

Denver’s Top Health Code Violators Revealed - kdvr.com.

It may be be better when you find yourself in the Mile High City to drink your sake somewhere else!

Son at Pennsylvania McDonald's Who Stood Up For Female Workers Being Sexually Harassed by his Father-Boss Gets Fired and Files Charge of Discrimination

Here's a fun one: A man has filed a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against McDonald's, claiming that his 72-year-old FATHER, who is ALSO his boss at a McDonald's in rural Pennsylvania, sexually and racially harasses his employees and also forces his employees to help him hire hookers. What? Well, the Charge alleges that the father fired the son after the son confronted the father about his harassment of other workers, in an effort to protect the other workers, thus giving rise to a retaliation claim for the son.

The son claims that the father is obsessed with strippers and hookers. The father claims this is a family matter. Hm. Well, if these allegations are true, then let's just hope for this son's sake that the apple DOES fall far from the tree! And of course, McDonald's washes its hands of the whole mess because this father-of-the-year is running an independent franchise. I'm lovin' it!

Local McDonald's Owner Subject of Son's Harassment, Prostitution-Related Complaints - The Patriot News

Female Deputy Sheriff Files Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Complaint in Madison County, Tennessee

A female deputy sheriff in Madison County, Tennessee has filed a complaint of sexual harassment against the Sheriff's Department, alleging that a male deputy sheriff sexually harassed her for years. This article does not really provide many specific facts, but the video does reveal that there was allegedly some physical violence which led to the police being called to the female deputy's home and led the courts to grant a temporary protection order against the alleged harasser in order to keep the female deputy safe. Yikes! One can only imagine.

Deputy Alleges Years of Sexual Harassment From Sheriff - wbbjtv.com

United States Sues Red Lobster for Sexual Harassment

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has sued GMRI, Inc., doing business as Red Lobster in Baltimore for sexual harassment. The lawsuit alleges that a male manager at the restaurant sexually harassed numerous female subordinates with various repulsive acts, including pressing his groin against them, grabbing and groping them against their will. It further alleges that the women tried to complain, but the manager above him was a sexual harasser as well. Let's hope these lobster attacks will not happen to these women anymore.

EEOC Sues Red Lobster for Sexual Harassment - EEOC Press Release

 

Destination Tahoe Hotel Settles in Sexual Harassment Suit

A Tahoe Ski Resort company called Destination Tahoe Hotel is shelling out $30k for a sexual harassment suit brought against it by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The lawsuit alleged that a male manager sexually harassed a female subordinate (a food server) and that the company then demoted her after she complained about it.

Tahoe Ski Resort Settles EEOC Suit for Sexual Harassment and Retaliation - EEOC Press Release

Owners of Angelo's Pizza and Grill in Buffalo, NY Settle Sexual Harassment Suit Against Them

Wow, the 3 male owners of Angelo's Pizza & Grill in Buffalo, NY seem to have gotten away with a pretty good deal for a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by 7 female subordinates. They are only paying $35,000 total for all 7 claimants in a settlement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), who brought the suit on behalf of the 7 females. These females alleged that all 3 male owners sexually harassed them over a 7 to 8-year period, including groping their breasts, grabbing their asses, simulating sex with phallic objects held between their legs, regularly talking about blow jobs and sex, and even locking one in the food cooler and forcibly fondling her in the dark. Gross. They also alleged that 2 of them were fired for complaining about it. Sounds like these pizza boys got off easy! Well, at least these ladies got a little slice of the pie, and (hopefully) the (alleged) pizza perverts did not get the pie they were after!

Angelo's Pizza & Grill Settles EEOC Sexual Harassment Lawsuit for $35,000 - EEOC Press Release

Zoria Farms/Z Foods of Fresno, CA Sued for Sexually Assaulting, Harassing, and Retaliating Against Workers

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has sued Z Foods, Inc., formerly known as Zoria Farms, Inc., a dried fruit producer based in Fresno/Madera, CA, for sexual assault, sexual harassment, and retaliation. The EEOC claims that multiple supervisors at the company had been sexually abusing numerous female subordinate workers for years, and then fired the workers who refused their sexual demands, and also fired the workers who reported the abuse, and even fired the victims' family members. The complaint also alleges that male employees who stood up for the women and complained about the abuse were also hornswoggled out of a job when the company changed hands. The company is apparently no longer in operation and the phone lines are disconnected. Sounds like their fruit's already dried up.

Calif. Producer Faces Federal Sex Harassment Suit - The Fresno Bee

Fruit Processing Plant Sued for Sexual Assault, Harassment - abclocal.go.com

Zoria Farms and Z Foods Sued by EEOC for Sexual Harassment and Retaliation - EEOC Press Release

Jomar/Seko CEO Sued for Sexual Harassment

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has sued Jomar Transportation, Inc. of Atlanta, GA, doing business as Seko Worldwide, for sexual harassment. The EEOC alleges that the owner and CEO of the company sexually harassed a female manager. Among various other lewd acts, the complaint alleges that this CEO kept a pair of rubber breasts and a jar of vaseline on his desk at work at all times. That was the one that really jumped out at me. Was this for ease-of-harassment purposes I wonder? You know, because you never know when you're going to need to harass someone in a hurry, so you'd better have props at the ready, right? Let's all stay abreast of the legal developments in this case!

Jomar / Seko Worldwide Sued by EEOC for Sexual Harassment - EEOC Press Release

WilcoHess, Operator of Wendy's and Travel Plaza Stores, Settles Sexual Harassment Lawsuit in Alabama for $215,000

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against WilcoHess, a company that operates more than 400 stores and restaurants, including Wendy's Restaurants and Travel Plaza Stores. The complaint alleges that a district manager at a WilcoHess Wendy's Restaurant and Travel Plaza Store in Tuskogee, Alabama sexually harassed many of his female subordinates and that the company failed to take appropriate action to stop the harassment for years. The company has now settled the case for $215,000.

WilcoHess Settles EEOC Sexual Harassment Lawsuit for $215,000 - EEOC Press Release

Jury Verdict Upheld for Female Firefighter in Florida

A female firefighter in Florida has won her appeal.  She was at one point the only female firefighter in the New Smyrna Beach Fire Department, that is, until the Department fired her after she complained about sexual harassment. Seven months ago, she won her federal jury trial against the City of New Smyrna Beach, and the jury awarded her $444,000 for discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation. The City moved to invalidate the jury's verdict, but the trial judge upheld the verdict. The City has now appealed to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta to overturn the judge's ruling. Meanwhile, the judge has ordered the City to reinstate the plaintiff to her former job.

Judge Denies New Smyrna's Appeal in Female Firefighter Sexual Harassment Case - Daytona Beach News-Journal

Here is a copy of last year's summary judgment ruling which provides some of the disgusting facts of the case:

SMITH v. CITY OF NEW SMYRNA BEACH - Leagle

To summarize, her supervisors told her the Department normally only hires men. They told her women should be "in the kitchen." They told her "women should not be in the fire service" and it was up to her "to prove otherwise." They covered her training manuals with cutouts from Cosmo Magazine. They called her "kid" and "girl." They questioned her about being a single mom and talked to her about her "mothering role." They told her they wanted her to get pregnant so she could be their secretary. They assigned her to babysit their kids and scrub the toilets and the urinals at the fire station. They told her if she ever brought tampons to work again she would be suspended. They disciplined her for using cuss words twice when all the male firefighters cussed on a regular basis because they told her "a lady should not talk like that." One firefighter told her she was hot and beautiful and that he wanted to bend her over. He sent her a picture of his penis. They told her it would make her "career very tough" if she filed a harassment complaint.

Yes, these things really do happen all the time, in the 21st Century!! Congratulations to this brave woman, her attorney, the jury, and the judge for a just result.

Female Police Officer in Pennsylvania Sues for Harassment and Discrimination

A female police officer in Mount Oliver, PA has sued the police department there for sexual harassment, sex discrimination, and other claims. She was the only female officer on the force in Mount Oliver. The lawsuit alleges that this officer was bullied and sexually harassed for years. She alleges she was barged in the bathroom by a male officer, and the department refused to put a working lock on the door to prevent this from happening. She alleges that instead of putting a lock on the bathroom door as requested (so they wouldn't keep catching her with her pants down), they assigned her to clean the bathrooms. You know, because lady cops are really just maids. There are many other allegations too, but I thought the bathroom-barging was interesting. She must not have been doing a good enough job cleaning the toilets, because they allegedly denied her promotions and ultimately fired her after that. Wow, tough place to be a lady cop.

Woman Who Was Only Female Mount Oliver Police Officer Sues Claiming Discrimination - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Call Out Your Next Creepy Street Harasser on Craigslist!

Here's one way to talk back to someone who harasses you on the street: write him a "Missed Connections" ad on craigslist. That's what this woman did, and it is pretty entertaining. This has happened to me many times too, and we probably all know the anger and frustration of imagining what you would have said, should have said, could have said, if we had actually said something back in a situation like that--if we would have thought of a clever comeback in time. Well this woman put her clever comeback on craigslist. Who knows if the pervy harasser will ever find it or read it, but other people sure are reading it, and hopefully it sends a powerful message.

Amazing Craigslist “Missed Connections” Calls Out Creepy Street Harasser - Salon

Sacramento County, CA Sued for Sexual Harassment

Two former government employees have sued the county in Sacramento, CA, alleging that their boss sexually harassed them for years and the county failed to respond appropriately to their complaints. Here's an interesting bit about the story: California has some of the toughest sexual harassment laws in the country. California requires all employers with 50 or more employees to put their supervisors and managers through sexual harassment training every two years. But THIS guy at the County (allegedly) continued to sexually harass his subordinate employees DURING the required sexual harassment training! Maybe you really can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Public Eye: Sacramento County Fights Sexual Harassment Claim - The Sacramento Bee

Owner of KFC Restaurant in Tennessee Sued for Sexual Harassment

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has sued Memphis Foods LLC, the corporation that owns a KFC restaurant in Tennessee, for sexual harassment. (Of course many huge corporations have separate corporations that own the actual restaurants, and then these separate corporations are the ones that get sued when something goes wrong.) The complaint alleges that a 54-year-old manager sexually harassed a 16-year-old girl, both verbally and physically, and then the restaurant fired the girl within a couple weeks after she finally reported the harassment. Finger-lickin'-NOT-so-good.

EEOC Sues Jonesboro Business for Sexual Harassment - KAIT8.com

EEOC Sues Memphis Foods for Sexual Harassment of 16-Year-Old Female Employee - EEOC Press Release

Would Having More Women in Office Reduce Sexual Harassment?

Here is a great piece about local politics in San Diego and the Bob Filner sexual harassment scandal going on there. The fact that such egregious harassment could go on for so long in a political office raises a larger question about the gender dynamics in such environments. The statistics this article quotes are 19% as the number of women in Congress and 23% as the number of women in political office at the statewide level across the country (and of course 51% is the number of women in the general population). Interestingly, that number was 28% at one point but has been declining for the past 12 years.

This writer, Jamie Quient, observes: "More women at the top would help end the culture of silence that enables sexual harassment to go unreported and unaddressed." Quient also notes how difficult it can be for women to come forward about harassment "when the person harassing you controls your livelihood and can shape your professional reputation." Amen to that! I completely agree with this assessment. If there were more women in leadership positions, not only would bosses be less likely to sexually harass their subordinates, but the subordinates would also would have more superiors they felt comfortable talking to about harassment if in fact they were being harassed. Thanks to Donna Frye for her courageous act of coming forward in San Diego and to Jamie Quient for this great article.

San Diego Needs More Donna Fryes - Voice of San Diego