PHILADELPHIA — A former employee is suing a Philadelphia company, alleging sexual harassment.
Sarah Elsayed filed a lawsuit Feb. 8 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Rah Enterprises and Hassan Abbas, alleging violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, regarding sexual harassment, a hostile work environment and constructive discharge
According to the complaint, Elsayed began her employment with RAH Enterprises in late March 2014, as a part-time assistant for Abbas. The suit says the defendant began calling and texting unsolicited messages to Elsayed during and after work. On May 13, 2014, the plaintiff alleges the defendant sent her inappropriate images with sexual connotations.
The plaintiff alleges the sexual harassment continued, both verbally and physically, until Oct. 24, 2014, when she terminated her employment as a result of the harassment and two specific cases of physical assault.
The lawsuit states that counsel advised Abbas to keep records of all information stored electronically, but were informed that upon receipt of the correspondence, the defendant destroyed his cell phone.
Elsayed seeks compensation for her violation of rights, damages for front pay and loss of future earnings, damages for back pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages, permanent injunction against future acts of discriminations, pre and post-judgment interest, and a trial by jury. She is represented by attorney Matthew Slocum of The Slocum Firm PC in Scranton.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-00635