A Schuylkill Haven woman is suing her former employer, a home products company, over claims of sexual discrimination and harassment.
Lori J. Kotch filed a lawsuit Nov. 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against JELD-WEN, doing business as JELD-WEN Windows and Doors, alleging sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation.
The suit states Kotch worked for the defendant as a deglazer from August 2007 to October 2014. Throughout the time Kotch worked for the defendant, she was subjected to a sexually harassing, hostile work environment, including sexual comments, vulgar language referring to sexual acts, and offensive workplace pranks, the complaint states.
In October 2014, Kotch complained of this treatment to a manager and a human resources director. After her complaints, a co-worker confronted her and said she should not have complained to the manager and human resources director.
On Oct. 24, 2014, Kotch was fired for allegedly violating the company's sexual harassment policy, but the suit claims this reason for termination was categorically false.
Kotch seeks actual, compensatory, and punitive damages, plus attorney fees and costs. She is represented by attorney John S. Harrison of Broughal & DeVito in Bethlehem.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania case number 3:15-cv-02149-JMM