PHILADELPHIA – An ex-employee of Payless Shoesource has sued the company, claiming that she was fired when she refused her manager’s sexual advances and threatened to report him for sexual harassment.
Denise Davis filed a lawsuit March 8 in the U.S District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Payless Shoesource Inc. alleging a violation of the Civil Rights of 1964 and the Pennsylvania Humans Relations Act.
Davis alleges that her manager subjected her to a hostile work environment because of her refusal to submit to his sexual demands and retaliated against her when she spoke of filing a report of sexual harassment with the company, which she believes led to her being fired. She had been with the company since August 2012.
On April 4, 2015, after making several threats regarding her employment if she were to register a report of sexual harassment with the company, according to the lawsuit, Davis’ manager fired her for calling out prior to her shift due to a home utility emergency repair.
Davis, who is demanding a jury trial, listed no legal representation on her complaint and is seeking maximum relief under the law.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Court Case number 2:16-cv-01090-CMR