A female sheriff’s officer from Somerset County has been suspended with pay after being accused of sexual harassment by fellow male officers. According to a civil complaint, the suspension took place when she had allegedly violated 36 of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office Rules and Regulations.
Amy Alfano is being accused of showing nude pictures of herself to fellow officers, telling them about the size of penis she desires and touching their genitals, according to court documents.
Two officers from the Somerset County Office brought charges against Alfano with support of other officers as well. Both Captain Glenn Dickey and Lt. Robert Sanders accused Alfano of severe workplace misconduct; but Alfano claimed that she was disciplined by Sanders because she used her cellphone while she was working, and that’s when the problems began.
The 18-year veteran wants her disciplinary hearing open to the public under the Open Public Meetings Act but the Sheriff’s Office of Somerset County maintains that the hearing should be closed to the public. Alfano’s attorney, Tim Smith has appealed the decision.
Smith said “Internally, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office is a cesspool. It is run more like a fraternity than a law enforcement unit. Tragically, Officer Alfano has been subjected to years of abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination, and even hazing.”
Smith also indicated allegations that Alfano was sexually harassed.
After an intense investigation that went on for two years, Alfano was suspended on July 16, 2014.
Recognize the signs of Workplace sexual harassment:
Throughout the course of the workday, employees often engage in personal conversations. However, when those conversations include degrading, demeaning, discriminatory and/or instances of a sexual nature, it becomes a form of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment can also include offensive materials, such as pornography and graphic depictions of men or women; semi-nude, nude or in compromising positions.
“Quid pro quo” is the Latin translation meaning “this for that.” This type of sexual harassment means someone (usually in a position of power or authority) intimidates the victim by demands for sexual favors, in exchange for some form of employment proposition. The proposition could be a promotion or pay increase or it could be forgoing the chances of termination.
It is illegal to sexually harass anyone in the workplace. Sexual harassment includes requests for sexual favors, unwelcome sexual advances, and other physical or verbal harassment of a sexual nature.
Harassment may not always be of a sexual nature. Sometimes it includes remarks about a person’s sex that are offensive.
Keep in mind:
Both the harasser and the victim can be the same sex, and the victim and harasser can be either a man or a woman.
The harasser can be the victim’s supervisor, a supervisor from another area, a co-worker, or someone who is not employed by the business, such as a customer or client.
New York City Sexual Harassment Lawyers Serving Employees Rights in NY, NJ, PA & FL
Whether you work for a sheriff’s office or anywhere else, if you believe you have been the victim of NYC workplace sexual harassment or discrimination, our team of New York City sexual harassment lawyers strongly urge you to reach out to our law firm for a free consultation.
The New York City sexual harassment attorneys at the Derek Smith Law Group, PLLC handle a multitude of employment discrimination cases that involve sexual harassment in Manhattan and the greater New York City area. We also represent employee’s sexual harassment cases in New Jersey, Pennsylvania & Miami Sexual Harassment is gender-based discrimination and is illegal. For further information, please feel free to call us at 800-807-2209 for a free consultation or click here to schedule a free consultation.
