Jury Awards Cal. Man $18M for Harassment

http://www.lasvegassun.com/ ^ | October 27, 2006 | AP

[teldon30]

Jury Awards Cal. Man $18M for Harassment LOS ANGELES (AP) - A jury has ordered The Vons Companies Inc. to pay more than $18 million in damages to a former employee who claimed the supermarket chain fired him after he filed a report accusing a female supervisor of sexual harassment.

The Simi Valley jury awarded more than $16 million in punitive damages to James Stevens on Friday, two days after ordering Vons to pay the one-time inventory clerk $1.7 million for economic loss and emotional distress, said attorney Gloria Allred, who represented Stevens.

Stevens, a Ventura County resident who worked for Vons for 25 years, was fired in May 2004. He sued the company that November.

During a monthlong trial, Stevens testified the supervisor subjected him to various forms harassment. In addition to making sexual remarks, Stevens told jurors the supervisor at one point simulated sex with a feather duster.

"I hope my victory will inspire others to come forward if they are being mistreated at work knowing that the law protects them," Stevens, 48, said in a statement.

Vons intends to appeal, said its spokeswoman, Sandra Calderon.

"We do not think that the evidence supported any of Mr. Stevens' claims and believe the damage award was excessive," Calderon said.

Vons, a unit of Safeway Inc., has 325 stores in Southern Califonia and Nevada, according to its Web site.

[ArmstedFragg]

I was going to say, "good for the goose, good for the gander", but maybe some other pithy saying would be safer....

[dr_lew]

Stevens told jurors the supervisor at one point simulated sex with a feather duster.

Geez, there's what? two, three hundred thousand right there. Horrible - can't imagine it.

... but I wish I could! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

[kingu]

These stupid suits need to be ended. Economic loss of 1.7 million? He works for a damn grocery store - 1.7 million represents 25 years of employment.

I remember when Republicans used to speak about tort reform. But it, like so much else, has fallen off the edge. Damn I miss when people actually ran for office, rather than running under the plank of 'it doesn't matter what I think, just think of what they'll do.'

[teldon30]

Sad to say...but those days are over :(

[sully777]

Reverse Sexual Harassment ping

[goldstategop]

The sexual harrassment laws are gender-neutral. A man has much right to be protected from a female boss's attempts to condition work, promotion or pay raises on an exchange of sexual favors as much as a woman has a right to be protected from a male's boss attempts to make her workplace experience miserable if she does not submit to his sexual advances. Quite simply, making sexual demands upon a subordinate employee can expose a company to liability. Vons found out the hard way what is not to take a sexual harrassment complaint with the serious attention it deserved.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[goldstategop]

A real life version of a Michael Critchton novel that involved a reverse sexual harrassment suit. If memory serves, it was titled Disclosure.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[JennysCool]

After he pays Allred's undoubtedly-exorbitant fee, he'll probably have enough left for a couple of trips to the grocery store (likely not Vons).

[goldstategop]

I assume on appeal it will probably be reduced to $4 million. Allred collects a third of it so he'll wind up with $2.7 million. He could invest it, buy a second home or go into business. Any way you look at it, he would be set up for the rest of his life.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[kingu]

Yup, this is California, so of course, there's a law about his attorney's fees. One third would be the highest contingency fee that Alfred can collect, but you can bet that Alfred will be collecting his court fees from Vons as well.

[dennisw]

This idiocy amounts to a 6 million dollar payday for parasite Gloria Aldred. Vons will be forking over that much. I can only hope a judge reduces the settlement. What kind of retards were on the jury? Retards who hate corporations and capitalism. They hate because workers have been treated like shit for the last 30 years while management and stockholders have been taking a greater proportion of corporate profits .

Such verdicts are lousy but are the little guys way of lashing out blindly

[Slings and Arrows]

One third would be the highest contingency fee that Alfred can collect, but you can bet that Alfred will be collecting his court fees from Vons as well.

Gloria Aldred is a she, but the confusion is understandable.

[kingu]

I'm sure you'll be sued by her next week for gender profiling. :)

[goldstategop]

LOL! Anyway, my take is the jury award is excessive and it will likely be slashed on appeal. But Vons still has to take it up the chin because they didn't listen to their own employee's grievance.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[Slings and Arrows]

:) Blood from a turnip, FRiend.

[Slings and Arrows]

Agree re the award. Re the original complaint, not enough info; I'd like to hear Von's side of it.

[mkjessup]

Stevens told jurors the supervisor at one point simulated sex with a feather duster.
Geez, there's what? two, three hundred thousand right there. Horrible - can't imagine it.... but I wish I could! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

Kind of like that old riddle about the difference between erotic and kinky?

Erotic is when one uses a feather during intimacy.

KINKY is when you use the whole CHICKEN!

[snarks_when_bored]

Alternate universe headline for this story:

Nonsense of Boss Mons Costs Vons Tons of Cents

 

[Dustbunny]

I hope Safeway files an appeal to have the award lowered to about $250,000.