PHILADELPHIA — A former employee is suing P.J. Ryan's Inc., citing alleged retaliation, sexual harassment, and wrongful or constructive termination.
Brenda Speer filed a complaint on April 12, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against P.J. Ryan's, Inc. alleging that the former employer violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that, between October 1, 2012 and December 6, 2014, she was subjected to various instances of sexual harassment by defendant's head chef/kitchen manager, Andy Gran, including but not limited to sexual advances, physically touching, groping and yelling at her in front of co-workers. As a result, she has suffered emotional distress, humiliation, embarrassment, loss of self-esteem and has sustained a loss of earnings, loss of future earning power, plus loss of back pay and front pay, the suit says. The plaintiff claims she was forced to resign on December 6, 2014, as a result of the sexually hostile working environment. The plaintiff holds P.J. Ryan's, Inc. responsible, saying the defendant's kitchen manager Gran allegedly acted in a violent manner towards her and threw objects at her. Other managers were well aware of Gran's harassing treatment to her, yet failed to intercede or take any remedial action, according to the suit, which says the defendant failed to directly respond to her complaints.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensation for wages and other benefits lost, pecuniary and punitive damages, pre-judgment and post judgment interest, attorney's fees and costs and any other relief as is deemed just and proper. She is represented by Kevin I. 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