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Sexual Harassment / Workplace Harassment in Houston

There are many forms of illegal harassment in the workplace, but sexual harassment is one of the most widely discussed issues in employment law. Sexual harassment is considered a form of sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Both state and federal laws protect workers from sexual harassment.

If you need advice on an employment law issue, including a harassment case, you should speak with a Houston employment lawyer. Houston employment lawyers can assess your legal issue and can even file a claim on your behalf. You can find a local lawyer by viewing FindLaw's directory of Houston employment lawyers.


Recently in Sexual Harassment / Workplace Harassment Category

Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Filed Against Cheesecake Factory

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A former employee of the Cheesecake Factory restaurant in Brandon, Florida claims that he was a victim of sexual harassment while working as a line chef for the company and is now taking legal action over the matter. The 42-year-old man has filed a federal lawsuit against the restaurant chain and is seeking compensation for "mental anguish and loss of dignity," as stated by Brandon News and Tribune.

The plaintiff Michael Knight claims that other line chefs in the Cheesecake Factory continually grabbed each others' buttocks and genitalia and simulated sexual intercourse in front of him. He says that he was mocked, punished, and later terminated from his position after expressing discomfort with such behavior.

Sexual Harassment Claims In Williamson County

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Two former female employees of Williamson County that worked under now-retired County Court-at-Law Judge Don Higginbotham claim that they were victims of sexual harassment when working with the judge. The Austin American-Statesman reported that the two women have filed a complaint with the Texas Workforce Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and that the former employees are now suing for damages.

In this case, the plaintiffs are former court reporter Kimberly Lee and former court secretary Sharon McGuyer. On one occasion, Don Higginbotham allegedly told one of the plaintiffs to "come here, that he needed help going to the bathroom because it was too heavy for him to hold it up," according to the lawsuit. The judge also allegedly uttered profanity and other sexual comments.

Cushion Packaging Company Settles Discrimination Lawsuit

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Austin Foam Plastics Inc. has agreed to pay $600,000 to settle an employment discrimination and sexual harassment lawsuit. Reliable Plant reports that the U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed the suit after the company allegedly subjected African-American employees to a racially hostile work environment and allegedly subjected two male employees to a sexually hostile work environment.

Lead Dentist At Smile Brands Accused of Sexual Harassment

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Sexual harassment in the workplace can lead to serious problems for a company, including an expensive lawsuit. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that a discrimination suit was filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after accusations were made that a Burleson dentist sexually touched two employees at his practice.

Sexual harassment in the workplace is no laughing matter, especially when legal action is taken as a result of such harassment.

The Southeast Texas Record reports that a female employee of Advance Construction Service Inc. filed a lawsuit in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas, alleging that she was a victim of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. The plaintiff, Sheria Matz, is now reportedly seeking damages for lost wages, damages to mental anguish, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, interference with personal relationships, physical illnesses and other physical problems, attorney fees and costs.

Former Employee Patricia Stevenson Sues Sam's Club

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A former employee of the Sam's Club in Texas City is suing the corporate giant, claiming that she was a target of abuse by a former co-worker and that the company failed to take action to stop the gender abuse. The Southeast Texas Record reports that the plaintiff Patricia Stevenson is seeking $75,000 in the suit against her former employer.

Patricia Stevenson reportedly worked as an overnight stocker at the Sam's Club store from April 2000 to July 2008. She claims that a co-worker would cuss and belittle her on the job, which she believes was most likely due to her gender. When the employee reported her co-worker's actions to her manager, she was told to ignore the co-worker and the harassment.

Male Employee Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against AbClean

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It's not only woman that are victims of sexual harassment and sex discrimination. The Southeast Texas Record reports that a former male employee of the chemical cleaning company AbClean has filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming that his supervisor created a sexually hostile work environment and that the company "did not exercise reasonable care to prevent sexual harassment."

Dallas firefighter Helen Watts and her Texas employment lawyer have finally reached a settlement agreement with the city of Dallas after filing a lawsuit against the city almost two years ago.

According to the Dallas Morning News, the female firefighter alleged that she was a victim of sexual harassment when working for the city's Fire-Rescue department and that she was repeatedly propositioned by a colleague. She also claims that she filed complaints with the department about the alleged harassment but that her complaints were ignored. The employee claims that she resigned from her position because of the harassment.

Five women who claim that they were sexually harassed while working at an Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurant in Bismarck, North Dakota are now filing a lawsuit with sexual harassment claims against the company, alleging that they were subjected to working in a sexually hostile environment.

KXnet.com reports that the U.S Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed the federal lawsuit against Minot-based Food Management Investors Inc. and Apple Core Enterprises Inc., who do business as Applebee's restaurant in Bismarck. The lawsuit seeks financial damages and asks the court to require Apple Core Enterprises and FMI to adopt a sexual harassment prevention policy.

Woman Claims She Was Sexually Harassed by Work Supervisor

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A female employee of Superior Energy Services has filed a lawsuit against the company because she claims that she was a victim of sexual harassment and that her civil rights were violated while working with the company.

The Southeast Texas Record reports that the alleged sexual harassment victim, Mindy Hasler, filed a lawsuit against Superior Energy Services on June 11 in the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division. The woman has a Texas employment lawyer representing her in the case and hopes to recover damages from lost income, humiliation, embarrassment, emotional distress, mental pain and suffering, fear and damage to her reputation, punitive damages and court costs.