Opinion ID: 75566
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Liability for Sexual Harassment

Text: Next, the City contends that it cannot be liable for sexual harassment because the evidence affirmatively established that the atmosphere in which Griffin worked did not constitute a hostile working environment under Title VII or § 1983. To prevail on a hostile environment claim, a plaintiff must demonstrate that the sexual harassment was sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the terms and conditions of employment and create a discriminatory abusive working environment. Gupta v. Florida Board of Regents, 212 F.3d 571, 582 (11th Cir. 2000), cert. denied, 121 S. Ct. 772 (2001). Our discussion in previous sections of the opinion leaves little doubt as to our belief whether Neal’s sexual harassment of Griffin was sufficiently severe or pervasive to constitute a hostile working environment. We clearly believe that it was, and the issue merits little discussion. 21 Griffin argues that the City is properly liable for the rape because the rape was the culmination of, and therefore part of, the pattern of gross sexual harassment that existed at the City. By our decision today, we do not preclude the possibility that under some facts, a rape or sexual assault could be part of a pattern or custom of sexual harassment. Rather, we simply cannot say based on the record before us in this case that the jury, in fact, made this finding. It appears to us that the jury was never asked to do so. 36 Construing the evidence in a light most favorable to Griffin, a reasonable jury could conclude that the harassment was severe and pervasive where there was testimony that it was known around the workplace that Neal had a sexual interest in Griffin; Griffin went to work with Neal in the first place because he demanded that the “big tit girl” work in his office; he repeatedly asked her to go on dates with him; cook for him, and to be his girlfriend; he made comments of a sexual nature and insulting remarks about her body, weight, and appearance; constantly requested hugs so that he could feel her breasts and look down her shirt; rubbed his knee against her buttocks and whispered that he was still looking for a girlfriend; and finally, after her repeated rejections of his advances, he raped her. Skadegaard v. Farrell, 578 F. Supp. 1209, 1212-16 (D.N.J. 1984)(plaintiff stated claim for sexual harassment under § 1983 where she alleged that her supervisor subjected her to crude sexual advances and comments and that same supervisor sexually assaulted her in a state-owned vehicle en route to a work-related meeting); Woerner v. Brzeczek, 519 F. Supp. 517, 520 (N.D.Ill. 1981)(plaintiff stated § 1983 claim for sexual harassment where she alleged that her supervisor subjected her to embarrassing and belittling remarks in front of fellow officers, repeated sexual advances, and interception of her phone and email messages). Bohen, 799 F.2d at 1182-83 (§ 1983 plaintiff was victim of sexual harassment where she subjected to obscene comments by male co-workers and 37 supervisor and forced to listen to “dirty talk” regarding the men’s sexual fantasies and their preferences for sexual positions).