PHILADELPHIA — A former server is suing a restaurant over allegations that sexual harassment forced her to resign.
Brenda Speer filed a lawsuit on April 12 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against P.J. Ryan’s Inc., doing business as Ryan’s Pub, citing violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
According to the complaint, Speer was employed by the defendant from Oct. 1, 2012, until Dec. 6, 2014, working as a server. During the course of her employment, the plaintiff claims, she was subjected to various instances of unwanted sexual harassment by a co-worker.
After repeatedly addressing the issue, on Aug. 2, 2014, plaintiff complained via text message to her manager that the behavior had to stop, but the issue was not resolved, the suit says. On Dec. 6, 2014, the plaintiff avers that she was forced to resign her position to avoid the sexually hostile workplace.
Speer seeks compensation for lost wages and benefits, compensatory and punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, cost of the suit, attorney and expert witness fees, and a trial by jury. She is represented by Kevin Lovitz of The Lovitz Law Firm PC, in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-01756-RBS