{"id":540,"date":"2016-06-01T23:25:34","date_gmt":"2016-06-01T23:25:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/discriminationandsexualharassmentlawyers.com\/?p=540"},"modified":"2020-01-11T11:18:04","modified_gmt":"2020-01-11T11:18:04","slug":"former-st-hope-foundation-employee-wins-522k-in-sexual-harassment-lawsuit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.discriminationandsexualharassmentlawyers.com\/es\/former-st-hope-foundation-employee-wins-522k-in-sexual-harassment-lawsuit\/","title":{"rendered":"Former St. Hope Foundation Employee wins 522k in Sexual Harassment Lawsuit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Houston \u00ad\u2013 <\/strong>Audrey Spanko, a University of Texas graduate, started working her first position full time with the St. Hope Foundation in 2012. Spanko expressed excitement for her social worker position, and acknowledged that her job at the St. Hope Foundation was exactly what she wanted. Approximately 11 months after her employment commenced, Spanko departed from her job alleging that she endured unwanted sexual harassment by an unnamed co-worker.
\n\"\u201cNew\"
\nSpanko says the co-worker<\/a> would often \u201cgrab her from behind.\u201d There were times the co-worker attempted \u201ckiss her against her will.\u201d At an office party, the co-worker allegedly \u201cnibbled on her ear<\/a>.\u201d According to the sexual harassment lawsuit, Spanko consistently reported the sexual harassment to the St. Hope Foundation group of health care clinics\u2019 chain of command, and evidence indicates they ignored Spanko\u2019s complaints for an extended period of time.
\nDuring a client appreciation party at an off-site location<\/a>, Spanko claims her co-worker \u201cput his arm around her\u201d and \u201cmade lewd comments<\/a>\u201d towards her. As the night progressed. The situation escalated when the co-worker allegedly \u201cbarricaded a hotel room door\u201d with the intention to keep Spanko from escaping his presence. Spanko\u2019s defense tactic, \u201ckneeing him in the groin,\u201d provided a way for her to get away from the ludicrous co-worker. This insane incident triggered the company\u2019s motive to finally open an investigation.<\/p>\n

St. Hope Foundation Responds to the Sexual Harassment Complaint<\/h2>\n

The company\u2019s board president, Denyse Thierry, who has been employed with St. Hope Foundation for more than 10 years scrutinized the sexual harassment complaints. After discussing the matter with the St. Hope Foundation executives, they ruled to terminate the co-worker. Thierry, on the other hand, \u201cthought we could work it out.\u201d The co-worker was place on probation instead.
\nFrom a business perspective, it can be very difficult to eliminate an employee who might be a great asset to the workplace. If their behavior surrounding the business appears to be unpleasant, some individuals like Thierry might believe there is a way to remedy the situation in order to keep the company running smoothly as oppose to analyzing the larger picture. The sexual harassment in the workplace is a problem that spiraled out of control.
\nAn individual who intentionally engages in workplace misconduct makes it hard for a business to fix a work related issue. Eventually, the co-worker was terminated for another reason that does not connect to this sexual harassment case.<\/p>\n

Life Changed for Spanko after St. Hope Foundation<\/h2>\n

The unemployment benefits that Spanko applied for were denied. Spanko reveals that she had to survive off of her savings while she was unemployed. Since unemployment denied her application, Spanko turned to food stamps to get through the months.
\nA sexual harassment lawsuit was filed in Harris County District Court on behalf of Spanko. In addition to workplace sexual harassment, Spanko accused the St. Hope Foundation of workplace retaliation<\/a>. Spanko explained that her job put her on an unpaid leave. Eventually, Spanko quit her position to prevent the continuous sexual harassment from occurring. She said St. Hope Foundation \u201cchallenged her unemployment benefits.\u201d
\nAfter a two-week trial, the jury ruled in favor of Audrey Spanko with a 522k award after they discovered the numerous reports she made regarding sexual harassment had been \u201cignored for months.\u201d Spanko\u2019s sexual harassment lawyer did a comparative analysis on her client\u2019s case and other sexual harassment complaints that were ignored by the board of directors, and she realized that \u201cthey just don\u2019t know how to handle it.\u201d The sexual harassment complaints have been identified as an issue \u201cthey sweep under the rug.\u201d
\nAt last, Thierry admits that the male co-worker was wrong. Then she argued that a fair investigation had been completed, and the St. Hope Foundation \u201ctried to save her,\u201d but the jury searched proudly, and determined that the St. Hope Foundation\u2019s efforts were inadequate for a serious complaint.
\nIf you have ever experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, reported it, and your executive leaders overlooked your sexual harassment complaints in New York City, Miami, New Jersey, or Philadelphia, contact our New York Jersey, and Philadelphia sexual harassment lawyers<\/a> at the Derek Smith Law Group, PLLC. For more information on sexual harassment in the workplace, read our employment law blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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New York City, New Jersey and Philadelphia Employment Attorneys<\/h2>\n

If you feel you have been the victim of workplace sexual harassment in New York, New Jersey or Philadelphia or if your employment rights have been violated, then you should immediately contact the NYC, NJ, PA sexual harassment lawyers at the employment law firm of DEREK T. SMITH LAW GROUP, PLLC. No one deserves a hostile work environment<\/a>.
\nCall today to schedule a FREE sexual harassment legal advice Consultation in NY, NJ & PA with one of our top rated sexual harassment attorneys here at the Derek Smith Law Group you can reach us online<\/a> or by calling 877-469-5297. Our NYC employment law attorneys handle a variety of cases involving sexual harassment, racial discrimination, and other employment-related claims. We serve clients throughout New York, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. We also have offices in New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Miami to serve you.<\/p>\n

Make Sure Your Lawyers Have the Verdicts To Back Up Their Negotiations \u2013 Results Matter!<\/h2>\n