Leanne Siri-Edwards, had been working with Dallas Fire-Rescue since 2006 before she was fired last August. Now the Dallas Morning News reports that Ms. Siri-Edwards is claiming that she was been a victim of rampant sexual and gender harassment in the workplace, according to the Dallas Morning News. She and another current fire-rescue employee have filed separate lawsuits dealing against Dallas Fire-Rescue, that both deal with sexual harassment.
Ms. Siri-Edwards alleges that an assistant chief once inappropriately touched her and that she was once e-mailed a naked photo of a woman. Her lawsuit has been moved from state court to federal jurisdiction, where Texas employment lawyer, Amy Davis, plans to represent the woman.
Dallas Morning News reports that of the 1,761 uniformed employees at Dallas Fire-Rescue, only 103 are women. The news reports states that 85 percent of female firefighters in this county have experienced work-related problems because of their gender, according to Dr. Marc Bendick's study. The study also states that more than 50 percent of female firefighters feel that they have either been shunned or isolated. Female firefighters should not hesitate to call a Texas employment lawyer if they feel their employee rights have been violated.
An article in the Houston Chronicle also states that many female firefighters in Houson have reported sexual harassment in the workplace. The Houston Fire Department recently received criticism about a calendar that was released, which featured a picture of a female Houston firefighter posing topless next to a fire truck. The calendar was distributed as part of a fundraiser, but Acting Chief Rick Flanagan later acknowledged that the calendar was inappropriate for the workplace after copies had been released.
Related Resources:
- Sexual Harassment Facts (FindLaw)
- Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (FindLaw)
- Texas employment lawyer directory (FindLaw)
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