Four Women Sue Hagadone Firm, Citing Harassment Lawsuit Also Contends Women Are Paid Less Than Men

Four women claim they were sexually harassed and discriminated against by Coeur d’Alene Inn managers, and contend parent company Hagadone Hospitality Corp. routinely tolerates such action.

A lawsuit filed Monday alleges Hagadone Hospitality has adopted “Baywatch” hiring practices and intentionally exposes young women to advances by male managers.

The lawsuit also suggests women employees are paid less than men and are overlooked for promotions.

“I think the management’s conduct is reprehensible in this case,” said attorney Amy Clemmons, who represents the women. “It’s an extremely uncomfortable situation.”

Three attempts to reach Hagadone Hospitality managers were unsuccessful.

The Coeur d’Alene Resort General Manager Bill Reagan referred calls about the suit to Coeur d’Alene Inn General Manager Stephen Wilson. Wilson was out of the office and unavailable for comment Monday.

Clemmons refused to discuss details of the case Monday. One of the plaintiffs would say only that she’s not looking for a “payoff.”

“The reason we’re going about it this way is because Hagadone Hospitality wants to make sure nothing goes public,” said fired employee Carrie Farrell.

The lawsuit describes a hostile working environment that has driven women employees to quit, and contends managers treat discrimination as inconsequential.

It states that at least two of the four women who filed suit were subjected to sexual gestures, demeaning comments, unwelcomed touches and sexual approaches.

The suit alleges one woman regularly was groped and leered at by a manager and, despite numerous complaints, no action was taken.

Another woman was attacked by a male employee by “pinning her up against a wall, grabbing her neck, threatening her, and sticking his tongue in her mouth,” the suit alleges. “Despite complaints regarding the assault, the (male) employee was retained and subsequently assaulted another female employee in a similar manner.”

The male worker later was transferred to another department, but not punished, the suit contends.

Farrell, the suit states, suffered an unnamed stress-related disorder, and subsequently was fired.

A fourth woman, 55-year-old Marilyn Paul, had her work duties and pay reduced because of her age, according to the suit.

The suit also contends male employees who engaged in the conduct were promoted, while the women were “criticized, ostracized” and “treated unfairly,” for complaining.

, DataTimes