http://www.nwaonline.net/279058937188669.bsp
Court Briefs For November 23, 2002
Sat, Nov 23, 2002
The Morning News/NWAonline.net
Woman's employment complaint dismissed
FAYETTEVILLE -- A lawsuit filed by a Rogers woman who sued her former employer alleging that she was sexually harassed, discriminated against because of her religion and fired in retaliation for reporting the alleged conduct has been dismissed at the behest of both sides.
Hope Petree contended that she was forced to quit her job at Preformed Line Products Co. in Rogers because of unwelcome sexual comments, innuendo and sexual advances that created a hostile working environment. She alleged that a supervisor repeatedly asked for sexual favors, personal sexual and physical information, and made derogatory comments about women.
Petree said that she filed a formal complaint, but company officials took no action, resulting in a hostile environment in which she could not work.
Petree also contended that the supervisor repeatedly made derogatory comments about Jehovah's Witnesses that caused her mental, emotional and physical distress.
But Preformed Products contended that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission did an extensive investigation, found no violation and denied Petree's sexual-harassment claim.
The company said it also investigated claims made by Petree and found no witnesses to corroborate her allegations, that she never provided information to substantiate her allegations and that she, in fact, failed to cooperate in the investigation by withholding names of possible witnesses.
The order dismissing the case was filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Fayetteville. It did not say whether or not the two sides had reached an out-of-court settlement.