Real Life Stories of Sexual Harassment

Deborah, Security Guard - Brooklyn, NY

Deborah was a security guard at her job. While working the night shift during the summer months in 1995, she was repeatedly approached by a coworker who made comments about her anatomy and propositioned her for sex. Debrah decided to complain after one such occasion when the coworker touched her breast. Debrah attempted, unsuccessfully, to set up a meeting to discuss her complaint with her supervisors. In the mean time, she continued to be the victim of her co-worker's unwanted sexual advances. Several months later, Debrah was finally able to meet with the personnel director. She filled out a formal written complaint which he read, concluded was false, and then orally terminated her on the spot. Debrah subsequently filed a claim under Title VII for hostile work environment, as well as a claim for retaliatory discharge. The jury found in favor of Debrah, and awarded her $2080 in compensatory damages and $4160 in punitive damages.

Sowemimo v. D.A.O.R. Sec., Inc., 2000 WL 546439 (S.D.N.Y. May 4, 2000)

Lynn Levy, NYC Transit Authority - New York City, NY

Lynn was an employee with the New York City Transit Authority when she was subjected to repeated sexual harassment by her employer. Upon refusal of her supervisor's requests for dates, she was charged with various disciplinary infractions. When she reported the situation to her manager, Lynn was told that the harassment was to be expected because of her mode of dress and appearance. Lynn was thereafter discharged from her employment. She filed a claim with the New York City Commission on Human Rights, seeking actual compensatory damages for lost wages and mental anguish due to the hostile work environment created by her employer. Lynn also sought reinstatement to her job, or in the alternative, an award for future lost earnings. While the court found Lynn's evidence supporting the hostile work environment credible, it also found evidence of a poor work record. Based on those facts, Lynn was awarded back pay and damages for mental anguish. Instead of granting an award for future earnings, the court ordered the Transit Authority to reinstate Lynn to her position for a probationary period so that she could demonstrate her aptitude in an atmosphere that was not infected by harassment.

Levy v. City Comm'n on Human Rights, 196 A.D.2d 214 (N.Y. App. Div. 1st Dept. 1994)