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EEOC Announces Suit Against American Laser Centers

normarae2008 — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:09:22 +0000

In a press release dated January 4, 2010, the EEOC announced it has sued American Laser Centers for violation of federal law by “subjecting a class of women to a sexually hostile work environment in its Fresno, California, clinic by retaliating against the manager of that clinic for complaining about it.”

According to the suit, EEOC v. American Laser Centers, LLC, et al, the Fresno’s clinics consulting physician and landlord created a hostile work environment by engaging in frequent, unwelcome sexual harassment towards female employees. In spite of complaints by female employees, the company failed to assist them. The company is accused of retaliating against the female manager at the Fresno location for her repeated complaints by firing her.

EEOC Fresno Director Melissa Barrios said “no employees should have to silently endure this type of offensive sexual conduct in order to keep a job. Employees have a right to work in an environment free of sexual harassment.”

We’ll keep you updated on this case as more information becomes available.

Portions of this report were provided by the EEOC Newsroom Release dated 1-4-10.

United Nations Reports Sexual Harassment Complaints

normarae2008 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:46:52 +0000

Recently the Wall Street Journal reported an increase in sexual harassment complaints at the United Nations. The U.N. is a large, complex international organization with 60,000 employees.

The WSJ studied five of the recent sexual harassment complaints. Other reports indicated that the U.N. administrative sector was receiving approximately 8-15 cases per year. This rise in complaints led U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon to issue the following bulletin to all U.N. employees: “any form of discrimination, harassment including sexual harassment and abuse of authority is prohibited.”

The complaint system within the U.N. is reported to be voluminous and complicated. The Secretary-General vows to get a handle on the harassment issues.

Even in an organization designed to promote peace and harmony among world leaders, harassment can be an issue.

New Anti-Bullying and Harassment Bill Proposed in Massachusetts

normarae2008 — Fri, 22 May 2009 19:21:45 +0000

A new Massachusetts Senate Bill, presented by John Menard, targets workplace harassment, bullying, and mobbing, without regard to protected class status. Senate Bill 699 states that between 37% and 59% of employees directly experience health-endangering workplace bullying, abuse, and harassment, and the mistreatment is approximately four times likely to occur than sexual harassment alone.

These numbers are staggering, and indicate why other states may be considering similar bills. We’ll keep you posted on the progress of this bill, when it passes, and the development of similar legislation elsewhere. The Massachusetts bill will hold individuals liable for workplace abuse.