Sexual Harassment and Employment Discrimination Suit Prevails in Federal Court
On April 13, 2009, Federal District Court Judge, Lawrence O. Anderson, entered a judgement of over $267,000 as well as significant injunctive relief in favor of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in an employment discrimination lawsuit against Sunfire Glass Inc. The lawsuit charged that Sunfire’s owner, Paul McBride, subjected a class of female employees to severe physical and verbal sexual harassment in violation of Federal law.
Judge Anderson found that McBride sexually harassed two female glassblowers by touching the women on their breasts and between their legs, hitting the women on the buttocks, making obscene gestures and verbally harassing the women by talking about their bodies and using vulgar language. The two women, Tineke Meyer and Karina Mercado, complained repeatedly to management, but no action was taken to stop the sexual harassment. As a result of the severe abuse, the women were left no choice but to resign.
In addition to the monetary damages awarded, Judge Anderson also ordered Sunfire enjoined from engaging in sex discrimination and ordered the company to train employees on employment discrimination and sexual harassment, to post notices about sex discrimination and to create anti-discrimination policies and procedures.
Without the courage of these two women to stand up for themselves, the heinous conduct at Sunfire would not have been exposed. Perhaps their courage will stand as an example, and empower people to stand up for themselves, and for each other when confronted with employment discrimination or sexual harassment.
