PITTSBURGH – A McDonald’s employee alleges she was repeatedly subjected to sexual harassment from her manager for months before being mandated to perform work duties in violation of a doctor’s order, which may have led to both her miscarriage and professional retaliation exacted upon her.
Brittany Strope filed suit in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on March 18 versus Park Family Enterprises, LLC.
“In February of 2019, defendant assigned a new manager as plaintiff’s immediate supervisor on the night shift. Immediately following this change, the new manager began sexually harassing the plaintiff. The new manager knew that plaintiff was in a relationship and recently engaged; however, he continued to make unwanted advances towards her,” the suit says.
“For example, the manager: Asked plaintiff how she would feel if he asked her out or messaged her via phone or Facebook; Made harassing comments towards the plaintiff, such as ‘You are thick, not fat’; and repeatedly asked the plaintiff out. These unwelcome advances made plaintiff extremely uncomfortable in the workplace. Plaintiff was unsure of who to turn to for help in this situation, so it continued. Eventually, plaintiff complained to the General Manager.”
Strope adds that nothing was done to remedy the matter, and the manager continued to sexually harass the plaintiff and other women on the job, but that this was “not the end of her workplace issues.”
“On or about May 28, 2019, plaintiff was taken to the hospital for complications with her pregnancy. Plaintiff returned to work with a light-duty work restriction from her doctor. However, the manager made plaintiff mop the floor, even though mopping was not part of her light-duty work restriction. Ultimately, plaintiff suffered a miscarriage,” the suit states.
“Eventually, plaintiff refused to work with this manager. This manager became belligerent with plaintiff and blamed her for not being able to work the night shift. Plaintiff continued to object to working with someone who harassed her and ignored her medical accommodations. Eventually, plaintiff was simply taken off the schedule and effectively terminated.”
Strope says she dual-filed her complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions and Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission as the discrimination was ongoing, which then issued a right-to- sue letter on March 18, 2020.
For counts of sex discrimination, disability discrimination and retaliation under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, the plaintiff is seeking compensatory and punitive damages against defendant in excess of $50,000, as well as costs, interest and other relief the Court may deem appropriate under the circumstances.
The plaintiff is represented by Mark R. Natale of Malamut & Associates, in Cherry Hill, N.J.
The defendant has not yet secured legal counsel.
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas case GD-22-002987
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com