CPS Employee Says Supervisor Sexually Harassed Her Repeatedly
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A woman who works for the Chicago School Board is suing her employer and her supervisor claiming she was regularly sexually harassed at work for more than a year.
As WBBM Newsradio's David Roe reports, the woman filed suit against the Board of Education Thursday in U.S. District Court. She says her supervisor sent her sexually suggestive messages and made inappropriate sexual comment, and even made her change her work habits so he could be around her more.
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The woman, who works as a youth outreach worker for the Board of Education, claims her supervisor repeatedly told her the way she looked and smelled would make him "do something" to her.
The lawsuit claims the woman repeatedly told other office supervisors and the equal employment compliance office administrator about her treatment.
After it became clear the woman had complained to numerous supervisors about her boss' sexually inappropriate behavior, her boss attempted to intimidate her out of pursuing legal action, the lawsuit claims.
The man was suspended without pay in early April as a result of the woman's numerous complaints, according to the lawsuit, but he continues to use his city-issued cell phone to call and harass the woman.
The woman has now taken out an order of protection against her boss, according to the suit. She continues to work at the Board of Education.
The five-count suit seeks unspecified punitive damages and lawyer's fees, in addition to requesting that the Board of Education take steps to further eliminate sexual harassment from within their work force.
According to the suit, the man was hired by the Chicago Public Schools despite his status on the city's "Do Not Hire" list.
A spokeswoman for the Chicago Public Schools said she was unfamiliar with the lawsuit and could not comment.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
