It is very true that most cases that are filed on the basis of sexual harassment in the workplace entail allegations between a man and a woman. While the majority of cases might occur under these circumstances, sexual harassment is sexual harassment whether between opposite-sex individuals or same-sex employees.
A same-sex harassment case was recently filed in federal court in our neighbor just north of New Jersey. The sexual harassment case was filed by four females who were formerly employed by the National Association of Professional Woman. The former employees claimed that a female manager with the women’s networking group had inappropriately touched them and used vulgar names when referring to them.
One of the women said that the manager reached over her shoulders and grabbed her breasts. This was only after the manager had given the employee a sort of unconsensual neck massage.
Not only were there claims that the manager sexually harassed the four women on many occasions, but that illegal actions were also taken in regards to their pay.
For instance, the women were not paid the commissions that they earned under essentially a third-strike rule for tardiness. In other instances, earnings were docked for failure to perfectly follow the sales script that was prewritten for them.
This second claim goes much further than the four employees. For this claim, the four employees are the voice of “at least 80” others, and are seeking certification for a class action lawsuit.
We will say it again: sexual harassment is sexual harassment. Those that either knows that they have suffered harassment or simply believe that they may have should seek the counsel of a New Jersey employment law attorney to assess their possible claim.
Source: Deal Book, “Ex-Employees Allege Sexual Harassment at Women’s Networking Group,” Susan Antilla, Oct. 1, 2013
