Co-worker Sexual Harassment and Violent Threats
Minnesota – Intense sexual harassment at Fergus Falls Veterans Home has caused nurse Lisa Schroeder, to leave her job. Schroeder claims she experienced stalking in the workplace, sexual harassment, and threats regarding physical abuse throughout the years from a male co-worker, Sean McKeag.
Schroeder alleged that McKeag attempted to pursue a relationship beyond their professional friendship. Although McKeag wanted more from Schroeder, she preferred to remain friends. According to Schroeder, McKeag failed to accept her polite rebuff to his request. A recently filed sexual harassment lawsuit alleged McKeag lost control. McKeag’s lack of self-control led him to call Schroeder inappropriate names including “whore.” In-text messages he would call often call her a liar, evil, and a “hobag b—-,“ in addition to other unpleasant titles.
Although sexual harassment was the center of Schroeder’s work-related issues, she also experience stalking in the workplace. The sexual harassment lawsuit says McKeag had a habit of following Schroeder around at work and into the residents’ rooms just to be in her presence, touch her rear end, and gaze at her. In another text message, McKeag allegedly told Schroeder, “Keep prancing around like the devils angel you are.”
The more Schroeder declined sharing anything beyond a work relationship with McKeag, the worse his work misconduct became. It becomes difficult to perform work duties and escape workplace sexual harassment simultaneously. If you find yourself trying to balance the two, seek a sexual harassment lawyer to alleviate some of the stress legally.
On one occasion, McKeag informed Schroeder that she was the “object of his obsession.” As his alleged “object” continued to reject him, McKeag engaged in some violent actions at work. The sexual harassment lawsuit revealed McKeag “punched walls and threw things.” He also destroyed a phone by throwing it against the wall.
Schroeder claims he would block the entrance to the doorway to prevent her from leaving and he would scream. McKeag’s actions at work grew worse, and when Schroeder reported the intolerable behavior and sexual harassment she was subjected to, management failed to investigate her sexual harassment claims or take action against McKeag on her behalf.
Other Victims of McKeag’s Actions released Sexual Harassment Allegations
The sexual harassment lawsuit disclosed that Schroeder was not the only employees who experienced sexual harassment from McKeag. There were other employees that were able to confirm the sexual harassment McKeag forced upon Schroeder because he allegedly touched their rear ends at least once as well. The women added that McKeag publicly humiliated Schroeder in front of an audience filled with employees and residents with inappropriate name-calling and false accusations about having unspecified relations with the entire staff.
Allegations regarding McKeag’s alleged behavior continued to surface. The Veteran Home employees including Schroeder reported McKeag was an explosive individual that should be deemed hazardous to the workplace. Another employee alleged McKeag sent her life-threatening text messages instructing her to keep quiet about his actions “if she knew what was good for her.” She also alleged that he said he would bring a firearm to work to “take some motherf——“ out. The employees were not only battling sexual harassment, they were dealing with an alleged maniac that would verbally express the harm he would bring to work.
A great deal of employees offered to quit if McKeag wasn’t terminated or removed from the workplace. His presence put employees and residents at risk, and employees refused to be a victim of violence. Schroeder claims she did her best to prevent contact with McKeag. She even filed a restraining order against him and an immeasurable amount of official reports regarding her sexual harassment experience. Management continued to refrain from putting a stop the chaos. According to management, the restraining order couldn’t be enforced based on hearsay.
Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Responds
As a result of the lack of help Schroeder received from her employer, she quit her job. According to a representative from the Veterans Home, McKeag does not work there anymore. The employers did not terminate his employment. He allegedly resigned last August according to Schroeder’s sexual harassment lawyer.
According to the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, there is a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of harassment, and harassment claims are allegedly “taken seriously.” According to Schroeder’s sexual harassment lawsuit, the harassment policy was not enforced during Schroeder’s experience with sexual harassment and violence. Public court records revealed McKeag has a violent history. In truth, the employer and the zero-tolerance harassment policy did not protect the employees at the Veterans Home.
Sexual Harassment Lawyer
If you have ever experienced sexual harassment along with threats of violence at work in New York City, Miami, New Jersey, or Philadelphia, contact, call us at 800-807-2209 for a free consultation. Our experienced attorneys are knowledgeable and passionate about helping employees and job applicants.
