Employer Defeats Hostile Workplace Claim

Gentry Locke for the Defense

U.S. District Court, Western District, Roanoke Division, VA

The plaintiff sued her former employer, a non-profit, alleging sex discrimination, a hostile work environment, constructive discharge, and retaliation. All claims except for the hostile work environment were dismissed prior to trial. Our client, the employer, denied that harassment occurred and maintained that they were not notified of any harassment until shortly before the employee quit. After a three-day trial, the jury found that the plaintiff had been subjected to a hostile work environment by co-workers but not by the supervisor. The jury also agreed that the employer had no knowledge of the harassment prior to the plaintiff’s abrupt resignation, and a defense verdict was obtained.