Sexual Harassment in the New York Parks Department

Female temporary workers at the New York Parks Department were made to strip at holiday parties and allegedly advised to get on the pole to keep their jobs. The sexual harassment continued as male supervisors physically assaulted female temps by snapping their bras and lifted one woman’s shirt to lick her exposed stomach and bury his face in her crotch during business hours. The complaint names both Deputy Chief of Operations James Cafaro and his supervisor Angelo Figueroa.

This incident at the Parks Department is an all-too-common problem in situations where managers fill these seasonal positions. Temp workers rely on low-pay-grade seasonal jobs to support themselves and their families, which means that managers may make unfair demands of seasonal workers without the fear of being exposed to their own bosses. If you have become a victim of sexual harassment in the workforce, you should know that you have rights.

A sexual harassment attorney in New York might advise you to look at the guidelines protecting you from harassment. Always file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within the 180 days of the last discriminatory act to preserve your case for trial. If you receive a right-to-sue letter, you can allege:

• Quid pro quo sexual harassment: Your employer preconditioned employment benefits on your submission to unwelcome sexual advances.
• Hostile work environment: Unwelcome physical, verbal or visual sexual remarks that are sufficiently severe, persistent and pervasive form the basis for a hostile work environment claim.

Other statutes may provide insight into your rights:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• The New York State Human Rights Act
• The New York City Human Rights Law

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