USA: Former Aramark worker alleges unfair dismissal following sexual harassment by manager
“Fired Ohio prison kitchen employee accuses boss, Aramark of sexual harassment”, 14 December 2019
Theresa Carter says she felt pressured to give in to her manager’s persistent and escalating sexual advances. She believed her job in a kitchen at the Lebanon Correctional Institution was in jeopardy if she didn’t do as he said. She eventually had sex with him.
But when she subsequently avoided and ignored him, her then-manager, Gregory Nelson of Beavercreek, Ohio, retaliated against her, Carter charges in a lawsuit.
"Never happened," Nelson, reached by phone, claimed Tuesday.
… Nelson made a false report that cost her her job, Carter says in her legal filing.
The employer, Aramark, denies any wrongdoing.
An Aramark spokeswoman provided a statement to The Enquirer on Thursday saying the company investigated Carter's claims when she made the employer aware of her accusations and fired Nelson.
"Aramark has zero tolerance for harassment of any kind," says the statement provided by spokeswoman Karen Cutler. "We are committed to ensuring that every associate is treated fairly and honestly and with the respect and dignity they deserve. Our rigorous programs and processes, which include a confidential employee reporting hotline, put that commitment into daily practice."
It continues: "We take every allegation of improper behavior seriously by promptly and thoroughly responding to issues or concerns. In this case, our investigation of Ms. Carter’s claim led to the termination of the employee."
The case remains open in U.S. District Court before Judge Timothy Black.