DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Inappropriate comments by a superior to a social worker and between other employees at the state Department of Human Services did not justify a $790,000 jury award for sexual harassment, the Iowa Supreme Court has ruled.
Friday’s ruling reversed a lower court’s verdict for Tracy White, a social work administrator and manager who sued the state agency in 2019, alleging a pervasive pattern of harassment and sexual conduct, the Des Moines Register reported.
Her lawsuit alleged lewd and graphic remarks by others in the office, including a superior joking about her wearing leather and whipping him; managers showing favoritism for more attractive and less assertive female employees; and a sexually charged atmosphere in which workers called women “eye candy” and joked about the tightness of their clothing.
White, who continued to work for the department after filing suit, testified in a 2021 trial that she suffered depression, shingles and other effects of stress related to a hostile work environment.
US overdose deaths dropped in 2023, the first time since 2018
Arizona Democrats attempt to repeal the state’s 19th century abortion ban
Shocking moment Las Vegas daycare teacher grabs three
Amber Heard celebrates 38th birthday with champagne ... marking eight
College baseball notebook: Conference tournaments to decide NCAA automatic bids and many at
Sydney church stabbing: Seven teenagers accused of violent extremist ideology arrested
Jennifer Garner reunites with 13 Going On 30 co
China to send three astronauts to Tiangong space station, part of its ambitious program
Insider Q&A: CIA's chief technologist's cautious embrace of generative AI
Solomon Islands PM Sogavare commands largest bloc in Parliament after election — Radio Free Asia
Britain's new bonkers EV: Callum Skye is an £80k electric buggy built in Warwickshire
Solomon Islands PM Sogavare commands largest bloc in Parliament after election — Radio Free Asia