Real Life Story of Retaliation

Loretta, Clerical Worker - Massachusetts

Several weeks after beginning her job at College-Town, Loretta's supervisor, Chester, began to make sexually suggestive comments to her on a regular basis. She reported the harassment to her supervisor's boss, who referred her to the personnel department. The personnel department asked Chester about the allegations, which he denied. The head of personnel then asked her co-workers if they had ever noticed anything, but Chester was in the room when the other employees were questioned, and none of them reported witnessing or experiencing harassment themselves. There was no further investigation. Loretta filed a sexual harassment claim against College-Town. The management at College-Town decided that Loretta should be transferred, to reduce tension in the department. When Loretta was offered the transfer, however, she declined. Shortly afterwards, she was fired. Loretta added a claim to her suit, for retaliation. Loretta was successful on both claims. Evidence of her employer's statement before firing her that "it has come to my attention that you are suing College-Town" as well as the fact that she was never told that the transfer was mandatory was important in justifying the commission's decision on appeal. Loretta was awarded back pay and damages for emotional distress.

College-Town v. Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, 400 Mass. 156, 508 N.E.2d 587 (1987)