Sexual Harassment Suit Filed Against Fitness Center

Nearly everyone would agree that a workplace should be a comfortable place to work, not an environment ripe with derogatory and discriminating commentary. Unfortunately, sexual harassment in the workplace does take place all too frequently, often leading to employees feeling intensely uncomfortable while they are simply trying to perform their job. That may have been the case for one California man, who has filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging that he was the victim of sexual harassment.

The suit was recently filed against his employer 24 Hour Fitness USA Inc. In it, the man claims that his female boss made unwanted advances at one of the company’s clubs in Sherman Oaks. He is seeking financial compensation of more than $50,000.

According to the court documents, this past summer his boss sent him suggestive text messages over a period of one month and invited him to accompany her to Las Vegas. When he requested for her to stop, the suit claims that she retaliated. Specifically, she diminished his chances for a promotion by falsely criticizing his job performance. He says he suffered and continues to suffer embarrassment, humiliation and emotional distress. The harassment also led to “mental anguish and severe shock to his nervous system”.

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a serious matter as it not only affects the person involved but it also affects the entire workplace as well. Those victimized by harassment should consider meeting with an experienced California attorney. Here, the man is likely benefiting from the advice of an attorney, who is possibly helping him with establishing the proper grounds for the suit. The attorney may also be able to aid in ensuring the improper harassment no longer poses a danger while fighting for an equitable result.

Source: The Los Angeles Times, “24 Hour Fitness faces sexual harassment lawsuit,” Oct. 18, 2011