Sexual Harassment Cases In The News
New York Parks Supervisors Allegedly Used a Stripper Pole
Two NY Parks Department supervisors were recently placed on suspension in response to allegations of sexual harassment against their female subordinates. The women have accused the supervisors of sexual harassment via suggestive texts and inappropriate physical contact. The more lurid details include tales of a makeshift stripper pole on company property on Randall’s Island for parties where female workers stripped down to their underwear and actually received monetary tips for pole tricks.
The Victims of Sexual Harassment
Many of the female workers are single moms in the low-income bracket, desperate to hold on to the seasonal positions that pay an average of $14 an hour. The department also has a welfare-to-work program with positions starting at $9.21 per hour. Demonstrating “quid pro quo” discrimination, the women reported that adherence to the stripping activities and hostile work environment resulted in more work. Failure to comply meant not being asked back. As is often the case in sexual harassment situations, the victims were vulnerable and scared of losing their jobs and the perpetrators allegedly took advantage of this.
Assemblyman Vito Lopez allegedly harassed eight female employees
In another recent high profile sexual harassment case, Democratic NY Assemblyman Vito Lopez has resigned in the wake of allegations of sexually harassing eight female employees in the assembly. He has been accused of touching and groping some of the female workers.
Know Your Rights
Sexual harassment is stressful and unwelcome no matter where you live. But in New York City, you have the advantage of very strict anti-discrimination laws. The New York State Division of Human Rights investigates NYC harassment complaints and issues civil penalties as high as $50,000. Civil lawsuits are another option, and the one that usually garners the most attention.
Sexual harassment is all too common. It often isn’t as blatant and shocking as these cases, but that doesn’t make it any less offensive and wrong. And although in the more common scenario, it is a male supervisor harassing a female subordinate, the opposite is also true and even same gender sexual harassment is a problem. In addition, co-workers and third-party vendors are also often liable for this illegal behavior. The bottom line is, you are guaranteed the right to a safe work environment. If you are being subjected to unwelcome advances, lewd or sexually inappropriate verbal and/or physical conduct or any other behavior that feels wrong, don’t hesitate; report it. Contact an experienced New York City sexual harassment lawyer to protect your rights.