Benefits January 24, 2003

Female Analyst Files Sexual Harassment Suit

January 24, 2003 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - A former female analyst at Banc of America Securities, who claims her supervisor once sexually assaulted her and a vice president threatened to spank her, has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the investment firm.
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Plaintiff Racquel Whilby’s federal court suit, which alleged she was harassed with lewd and sexually humiliating comments since she began at the company in July 2000, seeks back pay and benefits, according to Reuters. The suit said that because of intense daily harassment, Whilby took a leave of absence beginning August 2002 and was fired in September.

She also alleged that her supervisor once grabbed her buttocks and made sexual comments about her to others. The suit alleges that Whilby’s experiences are part of a companywide pattern in which women are relegated to less prestigious and less desirable assignments, given lower bonuses and continually demeaned and denied promotions.

Bank of America Corp., the parent company, said in a statement quoted by Reuters that it is committed to maintaining a workplace free of harassment and discrimination.

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