Opinion ID: 2506955
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Details of Assistant's Departure from Employment

Text: Assistant worked for Respondent from June 7, 2005 until May 4, 2007. During this time, they shared a good working relationship and Assistant considered them to be friends. Assistant claims she was unaware that Respondent had feelings beyond friendship until May 2, 2007, when Respondent gave her a romantic birthday card coupled with a typed note that revealed his feelings for her. On May 4th, while looking in Respondent's office for a client file, Assistant noticed an e-mail on Respondent's computer of which she was the subject. The e-mail referenced Assistant in a sexually explicit manner. Assistant immediately printed the e-mail and left the office with the intention of never returning. At home, Assistant used Respondent's password to access his e-mail and printed the e-mails Respondent exchanged with his friend during the time she worked for Respondent. These e-mails contained offensive and objectifying language about Assistant, unauthorized photographs of Assistant, and confidential information about her divorce settlement. It is undisputed she accessed Respondent's e-mails for her own purposes and not in furtherance of any duty she owed Respondent as an employee.