A federal judge in Portland has ruled that when it comes to dealing with an obnoxious co-worker, undressing him in the lunch room is not a legal way of redressing your concerns. The ruling comes in a lawsuit filed against Roadway Express Inc., a truck-loading company with a location in North Portland. Vanderkin claims management didn't do anything about the harassment. That is, Fisher says, four guys held Bowman down while Vanderkin pulled off his trousers and underwear. Another worker photographed the display.
Revenge is sweet, but it can also be costly.
Bowman complained to his supervisors, and Roadway fired Vanderkin and four of her accomplices. Vanderkin responded by suing her former employer. She claimed that she was wrongfully terminated, arguing that she was really fired for accusing Bowman of sexual harassment. Jelderks did rule, however, that Vanderkin's hostile workplace environment claim can go forward. That could spell trouble for Roadway officials, who declined to comment on the case.