Workers Claim Harassment, Rights Violations

Fri., Feb. 3, 1995

Associated Press

A group of current and former employees have filed more than $1.6 million in claims against the Okanogan County Mental Health Center, contending they were sexually harassed and their civil rights violated on the job.

The claims filed by the eight women and three men must be considered by the county within 60 days. If it rejects the claims, the women and men can file lawsuits.

Jim Salter, the lawyer representing the group of 11, contends that women were the objects of crude jokes and sexual advances in the office.

Women who protested the harassment suffered retaliation such as poor job performance evaluations and demotions, Salter said Wednesday.

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