• 20
  • October
    2011

When people think about sexual harassment, the image that generally comes to mind is a male supervisor making derogatory or suggestive comments to a female subordinate. Sexual harassment is not about gender but about power. It can go both ways and female superiors are just as capable of harassing their male subordinates. Either way it happens, it is illegal.

One male employee who worked at a California 24 Hour Fitness claimed retaliation by his female supervisor against him when he complained about her sexually harassing behavior towards him. According to the male employee, she criticized his performance so significantly that it prevented his opportunity for promotion or a bonus.

The male employee filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the corporation this week in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. According to the suit, the female supervisor from the Sherman Oaks club sexually harassed him by sending him suggestive text messages and inappropriately asking him out for drinks. She even asked that he accompany her to Las Vegas.

The suit claimed that the employee "suffered and continues to suffer embarrassment, humiliation, emotional distress, mental anguish and severe shock to this nervous system" which the suit says can be valued at over $50,000 in damages.

24 Hour Fitness claimed in a statement to the press that "as a matter of practice, [they] do not comment on pending litigation." The statement went on to explain that they had not yet been served in relation to the Los Angeles lawsuit. The company said that its focus will continue to be placed on "making fitness accessible and affordable."

Source: Club Industry, "Man Filed Sexual Harassment Lawsuit against 24 Hour Fitness," Oct. 18, 2011