Mar 8, 2019 2 min read

A Pittsburgh man has filed a lawsuit against an organization set up to help rebuild communities in the Mon Valley, claiming he was the victim of a hostile work environment.

Sherman Jones, through attorney Sean L. Ruppert, filed the lawsuit against the Mon Valley Initiative in federal court Wednesday.

The suit claims that Jones started working for the organization based in Homestead in October 2017 as an administrative assistant and was later promoted to an employment and financial coach.

Shortly after, a female employee allegedly began to sexually harass Jones, remarking on his physical appearance, stating he had “dreamy” eyes and nice buttocks.

The female employee also attempted to initiate physical contact with Jones, the suit alleged, attempting to hold his hand. When he pulled away, the filing contended she asked, “What, you don’t want to hold my hand?”

The suit also contended the woman was flirtatious to Jones, telling him on one occasion she thought he was “trying to touch (her) butt” when he was walking near her desk.

The suit lists another occasion when a group was carpooling to Harrisburg when the female employee allegedly asked everyone where was the craziest place they had sex. The filing stated the question embarrassed Jones, who did not want to discuss private matters.

Jones reported the female employee to management and was told other staff members had similar stories of inappropriate behavior or harassment about that individual, according to the suit.

However, after a meeting about the complaint, the harassment allegedly continued. Ruppert indicated Jones again complained, which led to a meeting with him, the woman and upper management.

At that meeting May 16, Jones was forced to sit directly across from the female employee and describe her behavior as she interrupted him, Ruppert wrote.

Jones was terminated May 18.

Jones is seeking compensation for lost wages, front pay, compensatory damages, court costs and attorney’s fees.