Sexual Harassment & LGBTProtections in the #MeToo Era

StephanieRojoThompsonCoe

SRojo@thompsoncoe.com;(512)703-5047BobSchmidt

CrewsLawFirm,P.C.Schmidt@crewsfirm.com;(512)346-7077

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TypesofHarassment• 1.“QuidProQuo” –– (1)Asupervisor(2)becauseofsex(3)

subjectsanemployeeto(4)unwelcomeconductthat(5)affectsatangibleaspectoftheemploymentrelationship-“tangibleemploymentaction.”

• 2.HostileWorkEnvironment – Employee“(1)belongstoaprotectedgroup;(2)wassubjectedtounwelcomeharassment;(3)theharassmentcomplainedofwasbasedon[sex];(4)theharassmentcomplainedofaffectedaterm,condition,orprivilegeofemployment;(5)theemployerkneworshouldhaveknownoftheharassmentinquestionandfailedtotakepromptremedialaction.”Hernandezv.YellowTransp.,Inc.,670F.3d644,651(5thCir.2012).

TypesofHarassment(More)

• 3.Gender-BasedHarassment – Harassmentbasedongenderbiasbutnot“unwelcomesexualadvances,”includingsexstereotypingharassment. EEOCv.Boh Bros.Constr.Co.,731F.3d444(5thCir.2013)(en banc).

“BecauseofSex”ElementAlamoHeightsISD v.Clark,544S.W.3d755(Tex.2018)• Vulgarlanguage,sexualconnotations,commentsonClark’sbodyand

perceivedsexlife• Monterrubio alsodescriptivelydiscussedherownsexlife,brought

indecentornamentforClarktotaketoholidaygiftexchange,dirtydancingandgropingofClarkatholidayparty

• ClarkneverclaimedMonterrubio didthisbecauseshewasawoman;otherreasonsgiveninstead:statusasamom,snob,money,jealousy

• AfterClarkcomplained,thedept coordinatorwhohaddonenothingtostopit,allegedtohavejoinedin;Clarkeventuallyfired

• “[A]nti-discriminationlawstarget‘discriminationintheworkplace,notmoralityorvulgarity....[They]donotguaranteeapleasantworkingenvironmentdevoidofprofanity,off-colorjokes,teasing,orevenbullying....[T]herecord...bearsnoevidencethattheinappropriateconductallegedherewasgendermotivated.”

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AlamoHeights• PertheCourt,inferencesthatare“easytodraw”inopposite-

sexcases(thatchallengedconductinvolvesexplicitorimplicitproposalsofsexualactivity)donotariseautomaticallyinsame-sexcases,unless“therewerecredibleevidencethattheharasserwashomosexual”(citingOncale)

• Offensivesexualconnotationsnotenough—mustactuallyconstitutediscriminationbecauseofsex

• EvidencewasthatMonterrubio enjoyedbeingcrassandprofane,tellingdirtyjokesandstoriestoallthecoaches,maleandfemale

• UnwantedsexualtouchingnotenoughtoindicatesexualdesirebyMonterrubio

• Noevidenceofgeneralhostilitytowardwomen16

AlamoHeights:WhatAboutRetaliation?

• Terminationandimplementingagrowthplan=materiallyadverseemploymentactions– However,growthplandecidedonbeforechargefiled

• Notmateriallyadverse:– Unfaircriticism– Heatedexchanges– Ostracism– Personalityconflicts– Notsharingfood– Exclusionfrommeetings– Micromanagement– Interferingwithpersonalproperty– Intentionallyannoyingbehavior

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AlamoHeights:WhatAboutRetaliation?

• Pushing,bumping,chasingherincar—allbyco-worker,notdecision-maker

• AlamoHeightsproducedevidenceofperformancereasonsforClark’stermination,sopretextshowingrequired– Eightmonths=notemporalproximity– CourtdismissedasvaguestatementbyPrincipalthattherewouldbe“consequences”forClark’scomplaints

– PrincipalencouragedClarktoreportfurtherharassment,toworkwithschoolcounselor,andtransferredMonterrubio

– PrincipaldidimproperlyreprimandClarkfornotfollowinggrievanceprocedure

– NoevidencereasonsforClark’sterminationwerefalse18

FailuretoConformtoGenderStereotypeEEOCv.Boh Bros.Constr.

• “[A]lmost-dailyverbalandphysicalharassmentbecause[plaintiff]didnotconformto[supervisor’s]viewofhowamanshouldact”

• OpinionanextensionofPriceWaterhouse(1989;genderstereotypingtheory)andOncale (1998;same-sexactor)opinions

• Focus=harasser’ssubjectiveperceptionofthevictim

...MorelaterreEllerth-Faragher19

SexualOrientation/TransgenderDiscrimination

• Past2years:2nd,6th,&7thCircuits haveconstruedTitleVIItoprotectemployeesfromsexualorientationortransgenderdiscrimination

• 5th Cir.says“no”:Wittmer v.Phillips66Co.,915F.3d328(5thCir.2019)– “InBlumv.GulfOilCorp., 597F.2d936(5th Cir.1979)weexpresslyheld

thatTitleVIIdoesnotprohibitdiscriminationonthebasisofsexualorientation...Blumremainsbindingprecedentinthiscircuittothisday.”

– “Weneverthelessaffirmthedistrictcourtonothergrounds”– Concurrence(Higginbotham):“wisely...wedonotreachheretoresolve

Blum’senduranceorthequestionofwhetherTitleVIItodayproscribesdiscriminationagainstsomeonebecauseofsexualorientationortransgenderstatus.”

– Concurrence(Ho):“ourprecedentremainsbinding...[and]iscorrectasamatteroffaithfullegalinterpretation.”(Andotherhorrorswillresult!)

OtherLaws/Jurisdictions• 13Texascitieshavelocalordinancesorpoliciesthatprohibit

discriminationagainstLGBTQworkersinthepublicand/orprivate-sectors.

• AustinCityCode§ 5-3-4:Sexualorientation,genderidentitypublic/privateemployers,15ormoreemployees,nodamages,publichearingbeforecityHumanRightsComm.

• Baldwinv.Foxx,2012-24738-FAA-03(EEOC7/15/15)“discriminationonthebasisofsexualorientationnecessarilystateaclaimofdiscriminationonthebasisofsex.”

• 3OtherCircuits:Zardav.AltitudeExpress,Inc.,883F.3d100(2ndCir.2018)(enbanc);EEOCv.R.G.&G.R.HarrisFuneralHomes,Inc.,884F.3d560(6thCir.2018);Hivelyv.IvyTechCmty.Coll.ofInd.,853F.3d339(7thCir.2017)(enbanc).

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PendingLegislation• Federal“EqualityAct”- HR5,S788– 240co-sponsorsinhouse,48insenate.NoRepublicanco-sponsorsbut4sittingRepublicansenatorsvotedinfavorofsimilarbillin2013.Businesssupportbutgrowingconservative/religiousopposition.

• TexasSB17“ReligiousExemption”forlicenseholders.PassedbySenate,nowinHouse.

• TexasSB15“ProhibitingLocalRegulationofEmployers”(nowonlypreemptslocalsickleave,criminalhistoryordinances,butstaytuned…)

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PendingLegislation

• TexasHB619wouldeliminatedamagecapsforgender-basedclaimsandsexualassault

• TexasHB1527imposingliabilityonindividualemployeesforsexualharassment,withoutcaps;seealsoHB1529&1822

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Same-SexEmployeeBenefitsPidgeonv.Turner, 538S.W.3d73(Tex.2017)

• MustTexasdiscriminateandpayemployeebenefits(sickleave,etc.)onlytoopposite-sexcouplesbasedonstatelaw?

• “Obergefell ...didnotholdthatstatesmustprovidethesamepubliclyfundedbenefitstoallmarriedpersons,and...didnotholdthattheTexasDOMAs areunconstitutional”

• Staytuned:MSJ grantedandNoticeofAppeal3/13/19

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HarassmentbyEmployer’sPatientGardnerv.CLC ofPascagoula,LLC,915F.3d320(5thCir.2019)

• Sexharassmentofnursebydementiapatientinassistedlivingfacility• Dailygropingbypatient,injurytothepointshecouldnotworkfor

threemonths;complaintstoadministration“metwithlaughteranddismissal”

• Previously,homehealthworkerpropositionedbypatientandcalleddisparagingnamesà notsufficientlysevereorpervasive.Cainv.Blackwell,246F.3d758(5thCir.2001).

• Sameresultwherenursinghomepatientrepeatedlydirectedracialslursatanurse’sassistant.EEOCv.Nexion HealthatBroadway,Inc.,199F.App’x 351,353(5thCir.2006).

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Gardnerv.CLC ofPascagoula,LLC

• Earliercasesrecognizednocategoricalbaronhostileenvironmentclaimsarisingfromharassmentbypatients.

• Question=whetherareasonablepersonwouldfindtheworkenvironmenthostileorabusive,takingdueaccountofthe“uniquecircumstancesinvolvedincaringformentallydiseasedelderlypatients.”

• Conclusion:Juryshouldbepermittedtodecidewhetherareasonablecaregiveronthereceivingendoftheharassmentwouldhavevieweditassufficientlysevereorpervasiveevenconsideringthemedicalconditionoftheharasser.

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CommonLawAssault• WaffleHouse,Inc.v.Williams,313S.W.3d796(Tex.2010),

CommonlawclaimsagainstemployerpreemptedbyTCHRA/Chapter21TexasLaborCode

• B.C.v.SteakNShakeOperations,Inc.,512S.W.3d276(Tex.2017), Notpreemptedif“gravamen”ofcomplaintisa[single???]assault;

• Solisv.S.V.Z.,556S.W.3d82,100(Tex.App.-- Houston[14thDist.]2018) (pet.pending)(Chipotlecasereminor)

• EvenifpledunderTitleVIIandnotTCHRA,commonlawclaimsstillpreempted,Wigginsv.St.Luke'sEpiscopalHealthSys.,517F.App'x 249(5thCir.2013).

• Doesn’tpreemptclaimsagainstindividuals(seeWaffleHouseandB.C.v.SteakNShake)

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SupervisorHarassment“Roadmap”Casiano v.AT&TCorp.,213F.3d278(5thCir.2000)

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Faragher/Ellerth Applicability• Defensetoliabilityforsupervisorharassmentonly

• Mustbenotangibleemploymentaction• Twoparts:(1)employermustshowitexercisedreasonablecaretopreventandcorrectsexualharassment;(2)itmustestablishthatemployeeunreasonablyfailedtotakeadvantageofpreventiveorremedialopportunitiesprovidedbytheemployer.

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Faragher/Ellerth DoesNotApply…• “Whenthesupervisor’sharassmentculminatesintangibleemploymentaction,suchasdischarge,demotion,orundesirablereassignment.”

• ConstructiveDischarge=TangibleEmploymentAction.Solisv.S.V.Z.,556S.W.3d82,100(Tex.App.-- Houston[14th Dist.]2018)(pet.pending)(Chipotlecasereminor)

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Faragher/Ellerth DoesNotApplyTo…• Co-workerandCustomerSexualHarassment:Derouenv.CarquestAutoParts,Inc.,275F.3d42(5thCir.Sep.24,2001)

• Owner,proprietor,partner,orcorporateofficerorsupervisorholdingasufficientlyhighpositioninthemanagementhierarchytreatedasacorporation'sproxy. Ackelv.Nat'lCommuns.,Inc.,339F.3d376(5thCir.2003)

• Negligence

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Negligence• “Employerkneworshouldhaveknown ofharassment

andfailedtotakepromptremedialaction”Hernandezv.YellowTransp.,Inc.,670F.3d644(5thCir.2012);Sharpv.CityofHouston,164F.3d923(5thCir.1999);Williamsonv.CityofHouston,148F.3d462(5thCir.1998)

• EMPLOYERCAN’TSTICKHEADINSAND – ifanysupervisorkneworshouldhaveknowofharassment,employeeshouldwinonnegligencetheoryevenifdidnotfollowreportingpolicies

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“SevereORPervasive”Fromoneendofthespectrumtotheother:

• Asupervisorasksanemployeeoutonadateonce,theemployeesays“no,”andnothingthereafterhappens

• Serioussexualassault=severe• Repeatedsexualepithetsand

tauntingfrequentlyandforlongperiodoftime=pervasive

“Sohowmanymenhaveyousleptwith???”

Twigland Fashions,Ltd.v.Miller,335S.W.3d206(Tex.App.—Austin2010)(nopet.)• Overturnedjuryverdictforclothingstorefindingahostileworkenvironment($12,500)• Supervisorsaid“hewantedtobefriendsoutsideworkanddon’ttellanyone,Ihavetobequiet

aboutit."Theonlyother“friendoutsideofwork”heeverhadwasanotherfemalemanagerhehadpromoted.

• Multipleoccasionstoldtheplaintiffshe"owed"himhugsandkisseswhenhewouldcorrecther.“Youowemeakiss,youowemetwokisses.""[A]sthedayswenton,Iwouldowehimmoreandmorekisses.…youowe metwo,three,youowemefour,"or"that'sfiveorthat'ssix."

• Ontwooccasionsthesupervisorfollowedtheplaintiffintothestoreroomaloneand,"cameuprightbehindmeand...gavemethisreallytighthug…""Allofhisbodycameintocontactwithmine”,wrappinghisarmsinfrontofherlikeahug"Iwouldgetfromaspouseoraboyfriend."

• “Peoplewillthinkwe’rehavingalover'squarrel.” He"justkeptpoundingonthetable.[saying]Youdon'tgetit,doyou?Youdon'tgetit,doyou?"“YouknowIloveandIcareaboutyou.""Obviously,youdon'tfeelthesame." Whenterminated,"Whydidyouhavetoscrewuplikethis?Ihadsomanyplansforus.”“IwasgoingtotakeyoutotheOasis[restaurant].”(Greatsunsetviewsbtw!)

Royalv.CCC&R TresArboles,L.L.C,736F.3d396,401-03(5thCir.2013)

• Femaleleasingmanagerinsmalloffice• 2malemaintenanceworkers“hoveroverandsniff”female

plaintiffapproximately12timesover4days• Onesatonacabinetanarmslengthaway,wearingshorts,

legsspreadandvisiblyaroused,“staredown”3-5minutes• “Youknowhowmenarelikewhentheygetoutofprison”• “Ineedarelease”• Nographic/literalsexualstatementsortouchingbut

sufficiently“severeorpervasive”

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McKinnisv.CrescentGuardian,Inc.,189F.App'x307,308(5thCir.2006)

• Securityguardforsevenmonths.• Supervisor“keptcominginthepostwhereIwas;askingmeforhugsandkisses;

andtouchingmeandstuff."• “Onetimehetouchedmeonmybreast;andthenonmythigh."• “Usedtoalwaysaskmeforhugsandkisses;andhewastouchingonme;

unwantedtouching.“• Percourt:“Directcontactwithanintimatebodypartconstitutesoneofthemost

severeformsofsexualharassment.• “[A]ssertions that[plaintiff]wastouched'numeroustimes'insteadofproviding

exactdatesorexactnumberofinstancesdonotrenderallegationssoconclusorythattheyfailtocreateagenuineissueofmaterialfact.”

• “Districtcourterredinfindingthattheevidencewasnotsevereenoughtoestablishahostileworkenvironment.Weemphasizethatthisisaclosecaseforsummaryjudgment”butplaintiffraisedfactissues.

OvercomingFaragher/Ellerth• Employeenotrequiredtoreportharassmenttomorethan

onemanager,HR,etc.ifpolicyprovidesalternatereportingoptions– “reasonable” useofcorrectivemeasures.Williamsonv.CityofHous.,148F.3d462(5thCir.1998);Rodriguezv.CityofHous.,250F.Supp.2d691,703(S.D.Tex.2003)

• Inspiteofon-lineharassmentpolicy,affidavitsthatemployees(andharasser)notawareofpolicy,nottoldhowtofinditorwhotoreportto,raisesfactissueonemployer’s“reasonable”caretopreventharassment. Pullenv.CaddoPar.Sch.Bd.,830F.3d205(5thCir.2016)

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• No“promptremedialaction”whereinvestigation“inconclusive”or“notsubstantiated”inspiteofstrongevidenceofharassment. Cherryv.ShawCoastal,Inc.,668F.3d182(5thCir.2012)Mota v.Univ.ofTex.Hous.HealthSci.Ctr.,261F.3d512(5thCir.2001)

• Non-specificsexualharassmentpolicy,belatedcursoryinvestigation,andnodisciplineforharassersufficienttoshowno“reasonable” caretopreventandcorrectharassment. EEOCv.Boh BrothersConstructionCo.,731F.3d444(5thCir.2013)(enbanc)

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OvercomingFaragher/Ellerth

Confidentiality/Non-Disclosure• 2017TaxBill– 26U.S.C.162(q)

(q) PAYMENTS RELATED TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND SEXUAL ABUSE.—Nodeductionshallbeallowedunderthischapterfor—(1)anysettlementorpaymentrelatedtosexualharassmentorsexualabuseifsuchsettlementorpaymentissubjecttoanondisclosureagreement,or(2)attorney'sfeesrelatedtosuchasettlementorpayment.”

• ImpactonSexualHarassmentVictims?• StrategicIssues– Pre-LitigationSettlementTo“Buy”

ConfidentialityandProtectReputation• Tex.Disc.R.Pro.Conduct1.02,2.01,3.02: Lawyershall“abide

byclient’sdecisionconcerningobjectivesandgeneralmethodsofrepresentation,”“rendercandidadvice,”andnot“unreasonablydelayresolutionofamatter.”

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