Thursday, May 31, 2007

Joplin Globe officials deny sexual harassment claims

In documents filed Wednesday in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. Joplin Globe officials denied a former page inserter's claim that she was sexually harassed when she worked at the newspaper.

In her petition, filed Jan. 23, Kathleen Willis claimed the Globe created a "hostile work environment" by "allowing its employees and agents to make unwanted sexual advances and contact with (Ms. Willis) and fellow female employees."

Ms. Willis says that after she complained to supervisors about the sexual harassment her employment schedule was changed and after she filed a complaint she "was threatened with the loss of her job." Ms. Willis says no action was ever taken against any of the people who were doing the harassment.

Ms. Willis said one of her fellow employees touched her and other female employees on the "breasts, waist, and rear" but even after complaints "nothing was ever done." She said that after he complaints, her supervisor told her "Someone is going to get fired and it might be you."

The three-count petition charged the Globe with creating a hostile work environment, sex discrimination, and retaliation. Ms. Willis is asking for actual damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like someone should be feeling lucky to be touched in those areas.

Anonymous said...

Why can't just once, a company say
"Hell ya, it happened. It was cool to be a part of"?

I'm tired of denials.

Anonymous said...

While I would never condone actual sexual harrassment, I do believe that these are false charges and I feel for those accused.