News Notes: “Serial” Harasser Costs Employer $1 Million

Three employees were awarded more than $1 million in damages after claiming that their employer failed to stop a co-worker who was harassing company employees for nearly two decades. The employees, who worked as customer service representatives for Ameritech Corp., alleged the co-worker had harassed 18 women over a 19-year period before finally being fired for masturbating in front of a female employee. According to the women, each time an employee complained, the company responded by telling the harasser to stop, which he did. Then he would move on to a new victim. The company contended it couldn’t terminate the harasser earlier because the good cause discharge standards contained in its union agreement tied its hands.