A New Jersey hospital employee has filed suit against her employer, claiming that her boss had sexually harassed her and when she reported it, he punished her as well.
Adrianne Russo, a security supervisor at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton, claims that when she was pregnant, her supervisor, Dave Gordon sexually harassed her. She then alleges that after her pregnancy he told her “breast-feeding is yucky” and advised her that if she got pregnant again then she would be “useless,” according to Russo’s attorney.
Russo pumped breastmilk in her own private office in order to breastfeed. She complained about the harassment to the Human Resource Department and was then advised that it was necessary for her to pump in the lactation room which was in a separate area of the hospital. Both Russo and her attorney believe that the order was advised “as a showing of force not to mess with them.”
Even though Russo says that her boss has since been terminated, her attorney indicates that she cannot express as much milk at work because of the inconvenience and stress.
Are you pregnant or nursing and going through a similar experience at your place of employment? Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that protects employees from employers who discriminate based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability and/or pregnancy.
Pregnancy discrimination is when an employer treats a woman (an applicant or employee) poorly because of childbirth, pregnancy or a medical condition that is related to her childbirth or pregnancy. Sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination and just like any other discrimination, it is illegal.
The pregnancy discrimination act (PDA) forbids discrimination based on pregnancy when it comes to all aspects of employment including job assignments, firing, hiring, pay, layoff, training, promotions, and fringe benefits such as leave and health insurance and any other term or condition of employment.
Sexual harassment and discrimination alone are selfish, uncaring and shameful acts. It is beyond unethical that any individual would be treated unfavorably at work but it is truly disgraceful when an individual who has chosen to carry another human being inside of her and unselfishly bring forth that being into this world is treated with such inexcusable behavior.
Here at the law firm of DEREK T. SMITH LAW GROUP, PLLC, we are passionate about your employment law rights. No one should ever be subjected to discrimination, sexual harassment or having to work in a hostile job environment. Those who have experienced these unlawful acts, have every right under the law to receive justice for the misconduct suffered at the hands of his or her employer. Discrimination is illegal and the laws that have been set up to prohibit this unlawful act are severe towards anyone who violates them.
Our attorneys will fight for justice on your behalf. If you or someone you know has been experiencing discrimination, sexual harassment or working in a hostile job environment, then you should immediately contact an NYC, NJ, PA employment discrimination attorney at the Derek Smith Law Group PLLC.
Call today and schedule your FREE Consultation. You can reach us online or by calling 877-469-5297. We serve clients throughout New York, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. We also have offices in New Jersey, Philadelphia and Miami to serve you.
