Philadelphia, P.A. – Vantage Foods PA Inc. in Pennsylvania is being sued by former employee, Sandra Valencia from Mechanicsburg, who claims that she was sexually harassed, discriminated against and then wrongfully terminated.
On December 11, former Vantage employee Ms. Valencia, 42 filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against her former employer. Violations that Vantage Foods PA Inc. and Vantage Foods US LP, have been cited for, include breaches of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, hostile work environment, retaliation, Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, and additional counts.
According to the suit, the plaintiff who starting working for the company in 2014 as a machine operator, alleges that she performed her job excellently during the period of time that she was employed. Even though she worked hard, one of the supervisors denied certain training to her; however, would train younger female employees.
Valencia complained of age discrimination but a different supervisor then began to make sexual advances toward her. These advances consisted of body movements and comments that were suggestive. She refused the advances but that didn’t stop the manager, he asserted himself even more so and eventually terminated her employment.
Valencia is charging the company with her unlawful termination, sexual harassment and retaliation.
The U.S. Equal Employment Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency that sets up and enforces laws against workplace discrimination. The EEOC protects employees and applicants by making it illegal for a company to demote, fire, harass or retaliate against them in the event a charge of discrimination is filed, or if they complained to their employer about discrimination.
Have you or someone you know been the victim of sexual harassment?
If so, it’s important for you to know that in any situation at your job, if it affects your work performance, feels uncomfortable to you or is causing you mental or physical distress, than there are steps you will want to take.
Review your employee handbook to find out the person or department, the misconduct should be reported to.
Speak directly to the harasser (if you feel comfortable). Tell him or her that you feel uncomfortable and it should stop immediately. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking you’re your harasser or he or she fails to correct the behavior then you should report the behavior to the individual or group of individuals so that you can stop the wrongdoing.
After reporting the misconduct, follow up in writing either by a letter or an email and send it to the person you complained to.
Consult with a sexual harassment attorney in your area. If nothing happens to resolve the problem or if the harassment continues, gets worse or your employer retaliates against you, then you will want to contact the sexual harassment attorneys at the employment law firm of the Derek Smith Law Group immediately.
Having experienced sexual harassment and employment law attorney who can help you to gather evidence, and understand your rights under the laws are necessary to bring a successful resolution to your case.
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Say no to being a victim of sexual harassment and say no to working in a hostile work environment. Our top-rated sexual harassment and employment law attorneys in New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia are ready to fight for you and protect your rights.
To schedule a free consultation with a sexual harassment attorney at the Derek Smith Law Group, PLLC in New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Miami. You can reachus by calling 877-469-5297 or click here to contact us online. Our NYC employment law attorneys handle cases involving sexual harassment, discrimination, and other employment-related lawsuits. 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.
