Former Employee Sues Water Authority

Nicole Massey has filed a lawsuit against the Great Lakes Water Authority, alleging the authority terminated her after she complained about being sexually harassed for the size of her breasts.

According to the lawsuit, Massey was continually tormented for her breasts and became a subject co-workers and supervisors talked about on a daily basis.

“She was constantly told she needed a more supportive bra and often accused of not wearing a bra,” the lawsuit says. “Plaintiff complained about the harassment and discrimination to upper management who did nothing to stop or prevent the harassment and discrimination and, in fact, participated …”

The harassment Massey endured was so much to take that she eventually had a breast reduction in November 2017. She needed some time to recover from the surgery, but her supervisor insisted that she returned to work early from an approved medical leave, “in retaliation for complaining about sex and gender harassment and discrimination,” according to the lawsuit.

Massey alleges that the water authority violated the state’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and is asking for at least $75,000 in compensation.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time a female employee has complained about being sexually harassed at work. Casey Willard, a former manager at Planet Fitness, filed a lawsuit last November, claiming she was sexually harassed and raped at work.

Willard, who joined the company in 2015, claimed senior management at the Hampton headquarters organized drinking events frequently. Employees “competed regarding the number of shots they could consume in the least amount of time” at work.

Willard claims that she was drugged and raped on a business trip in September 2017 by a company manager and his friends. She also says that a manager initiated a sexual relationship with her and that she was worried she could lose her job. She told the company earlier last year that she was unable to come back to work.