Woman Files Federal Suit Against Clarion County OES Alleging Sex Discrimination, Hostile Work Environment, and Retaliation

CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – A former dispatcher employed by the Clarion County Office of Emergency Services (OES) has filed a civil suit for violations of the Civil Rights Act, alleging sex discrimination, a hostile work environment, and retaliation.

Plaintiff Chelsea Sierko and her attorneys Kraemer, Manes & Associates, LLC and Martell Harris, Esquire filed the civil complaint on October 25, 2016, in Pittsburgh with The United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Sierko, and her attorneys are demanding a jury trial.

Sierko started her employment with Clarion County as a dispatcher in 2013 and was terminated from her position on September 23, 2015.

She alleges she was terminated shortly after making complaints about the sexual harassment she suffered at work.

A complete copy of the civil lawsuit can be found here.  The suit lists three violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Some examples of the sexual harassment alleged by Sierko in the suit include alleged behavior by dispatcher Nate Girvan against Seiko. 

The alleged incidents listed include:

• He routinely called her a “B*tch”;
• He routinely called her a “sl*t”;
• He routinely called her a “wh*re”;
• He routinely commented on her breasts;
• He attempted to touch her breasts;
• He routinely asked her why she didn’t sleep with him;
• He would kick her and say, “that isn’t my foot, it’s my d**k.”

Sierko reportedly complained to supervisors, requested to be reassigned to another shift without Girvan, and then reported the incidents to OES Director Vern Smith. According to the complaint, Smith stated that Girvan did not deny the claims against him.

Smith, Clarion County OES and 911 Director, was terminated from the position effective March 3, but Clarion County Commissioners would not comment on the action or provide a reason.