Representing Florida Employees in Work Issues

Firefighter sues city of Jacksonville in sexual harassment claims

On Behalf of | Aug 22, 2014 | Sexual Harassment |

A Florida woman has brought a sexual harassment lawsuit against the City of Jacksonville. The sexual harassment lawsuit complains about sexually explicit materials and pornography at a particular Florida fire station. In the lawsuit, the woman says that she was subjected to continued disparate treatment in addition to sexual harassment and retaliation because she was female.

The woman says in her suit that there were just two women out 39 fire station employees while she worked there. Among the various instances of sexual harassment, the woman says that a lieutenant told her that different firemen would be having sexual relations with her daughter after the girl reached legal age. On another occasion, a coworker told the woman that he and the other firemen would not be changing over a century of tradition simply because a (censored word) was at the station, and that the reason they came to work was to escape their girlfriends and wives.

The female firefighter was also called a snake and other names. She received negative comments on her social medial page as well. The woman says in her suit that the abuse was so extreme, she suffered from depression, anxiety and a bad professional reputation.

Sexual harassment — whether it is verbal or physical — is unlawful in the state of Florida. Workplaces, employers and managers who subject their employees to such behavior or fail to stop it when it occurs can be held accountable for their actions in court. Indeed, victims of sexual harassment who successfully pursue the litigation of their cases may be able to receive financial compensation for the damages they have suffered — damages such as lost income due to a termination, pain and suffering, emotional turmoil, lost opportunity and other types of damages.

Source: firstcoastnews.com, “JFRD facing federal sexual discrimination lawsuit”, Jacob Long, Aug. 21, 2014

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