HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 19 PHRC-harrasment-awd
HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Chairperson Stephen A. Glassman announced today that the commission has ordered a New Hope, Bucks County, company to pay $162,000, plus interest, to a Montgomery County woman as compensation for lost pay due to sexual harassment.
The commission also ordered Plum Entertainment LLC to stop all illegal discriminatory practices and take steps to prevent future harassment and retaliation.
The order followed a PHRC decision that Plum Entertainment had illegally discriminated against Sharon Sheridan of Laverock on the basis of her sex by subjecting her to a hostile work environment and by firing her in retaliation for her opposition to their illegal practices.
"We have made great strides in eliminating illegal discrimination from Pennsylvania workplaces, but we still have work to do," Glassman said. "Every Pennsylvanian should be aware that they have a right to work in an environment free of discrimination. It is perhaps even more important for employers to remember they must work to recognize, prohibit and eliminate discrimination where it exists. It's the law."
Sheridan filed a complaint with PHRC in 2005 alleging that she was sexually harassed and eventually terminated in retaliation for opposing the harassing behavior. A PHRC investigation found probable cause to credit Sheridan's allegations and, after attempts at conciliation were unsuccessful, PHRC held a public hearing on the matter in 2007. At that point, the findings of the PHRC investigation became public.
The final legal order served to Plum Entertainment included the lump sum of $95,065.51 in back pay lost after Sheridan's termination, with additional six percent interest calculated from the date she was terminated until payment has been made. The balance of the financial award, made in lieu of reinstatement, represents "front pay," or pay she would have received had she continued to work for the company from April 5, 2008, through April 5, 2010.
In addition to ceasing its discriminatory practices, Plum Entertainment is required to formulate antidiscrimination policies and procedures for effectively accepting and resolving employee complaints, and to conduct employee training on appropriate workplace behavior and Pennsylvania's laws prohibiting discrimination. The company has 30 days from the effective date of the order, Nov. 18, 2008, to report to PHRC on how it will comply.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission enforces Pennsylvania laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, disability and familial status. The commission's jurisdiction extends to employment, housing, commercial property, public accommodation, education and the monitoring of community tension situations. Find us online at www.phrc.state.pa.us.
CONTACT:
Shannon Powers
(717) 783-8266
SOURCE Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
