An openly lesbian former United Parcel Service (UPS) worker was awarded $63,000 in her hostile work environment sexual harassment suit against the world’s largest package delivery company.
According to a release from Fenton Communications, the jury concluded that Kathy Hoskins, 14-year UPS veteran, experienced severe, widespread and persistent harassment that created a hostile and abusive work environment, which ultimately led to her wrongful termination. ‘The outcome of this case sends a clear message to UPS and the rest of corporate America that harassment based on gender stereotypes will not be tolerated,’ said attorney Waukeen Q. McCoy of the Law Offices of Waukeen Q. McCoy, who represents the plaintiff in this case.
The case, which was argued in San Francisco Superior Court, focused on Kathy
Hoskins’ complaint of persistent harassment by coworkers and supervisors about her appearance. She also said that she was consistently denied new work equipment and other uniform and safety equipment that was readily available to male employees.
Hoskins was one of only four women out of a total of 56 employees that worked at the San Bruno facility. The supervisor did not hire a woman during his five-year tenure at that facility and promoted only one in his entire 22-year management career.