Employee Complains About Sexual Harassment And Supervisor Allegedly Says “Suck It Up And Ignore It.”

David ManesLawsuits & Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Employee Files Lawsuit Against Lexus Protection Services For Gender Discrimination

Kaylynn accepted the role of site coordinator with Lexus Protection Services in 2016. She was the only female site coordinator in the facility. Vantage Energy hired subcontractors, including Kaylynn’s team and a team including her former husband. Kaylynn and her ex-husband, Dale, worked in different roles and capacities on the site. Things should have been fine since they had no need to interact.

But then, one of Kaylynn’s coworkers informed her that Dale had been asking about her. He had been making comments about her sexual preferences. In front of other workers, Dale allegedly called Kaylynn a “slut” and claimed that she “had sex with everyone” and “had multiple abortions.” These comments were not only inappropriate but also degrading.

Hoping to resolve the problem, Kaylynn decided to report the ongoing remarks. She spoke to the field supervisor, who told her that he’d tell the direct supervisor and that she should speak to the Vantage Energy “company man.” When Kaylynn spoke to him, he cut her off with, “Suck it up and ignore it and it will be taken care of.” Kaylynn followed up with the direct supervisor only to discover that the field supervisor hadn’t spoken to him about the inappropriate treatment. The direct supervisor gave Kaylynn two options: take time off or move sites. Kaylynn contacted Vantage Energy’s safety coordinator only to find out that he had not heard about the harassment. He told Kaylynn to submit a formal complaint to him. Kaylynn submitted a complaint that day.

When Kaylynn spoke to him, he cut her off with, “Suck it up and ignore it and it will be taken care of.”Only a day after, the company transferred Kaylynn to another location. Meanwhile, Dale remained at the original site. Kaylynn was perplexed over this deviation from protocol since usually the harasser is moved until the situation is investigated. The same day Kaylynn was transferred, she was fired allegedly for “not wearing the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and for poor performance.” As an employee with a history of only excellent performance reviews, this sudden termination confused Kaylynn. She believes that Lexus Protection Services discriminated and retaliated against her for exercising her employee rights and filing a complaint. KM&A defends employee rights and fights for employees like Kaylynn who have experienced a hostile work environment and sexual harassment.

 

Full text of this complaint, as filed with the District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, is available at docket no: 2:17-cv-01208-NBF

Kraemer, Manes & Associates LLC is an employment law firm with principal offices in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, serving all counties in Pennsylvania, focusing on employment law, business law, litigation, and civil issues. KM&A clients include employees, small businesses, parties in litigation, and people with a variety of legal issues.

For more information about this case, contact Attorney Christi Wallace at 412-626-5575 or at cw@lawkm.com.

NOTICE: All information contained in this statement comes from the Complaint which has been filed as a public record with the court. As dedicated civil rights attorneys, we strongly believe in the public value of telling our clients’ stories: violators can be held accountable, and other silent victims can feel empowered to stand up for their legal rights. Although we make every attempt to verify our clients’ claims, note that the defendant is expected to oppose our client’s position, and the court has not ruled one way or the other as of the date of this statement.