Lexington-Fayette Urban County
Human Rights Commission
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September
12, 2002
The Lexington-Fayette Urban
County Human Rights Commission awarded $9,800 to a Lexington woman in a
retaliation case and $25,000 to a Winchester woman in a sexual harassment case.
In Lancaster v. Olajuwon
Holdings d/b/a Denny’s, Patricia Lancaster was awarded $8,800 for lost
wages and $1,000 for embarrassment and humiliation in a retaliation case. In the
second case, Asher v. The Maids of Lexington, Michele Asher was awarded
$2,500 for lost wages and $25,000 for embarrassment and humiliation in a sexual
harassment case.
Patricia Lancaster claimed that
she was terminated by Olajuwon Holdings d/b/a Denny’s in retaliation for
contacting the Human Rights Commission in October 1998.
The Commission issued a
determination of probable cause on February 23, 1999. A pre-hearing conference
was held on June 22, 1999, after efforts at conciliation were unsuccessful.
At the public hearing on July 17, 1999, Ms. Lancaster produced evidence
that the reason she was given for her termination, giving a regular customer a
free cup of coffee, was common practice among managers and other employees. In
addition, Ms. Lancaster also provided evidence that her termination coincided
with management’s discovery of her contact with the Human Rights Commission.
The hearing examiner issued the decision awarding Ms. Lancaster $8,800 in lost
wages. The Commission reviewed the hearing examiner’s decision on September
23, 2002 and awarded Ms. Lancaster $1000 for embarrassment and humiliation, in
addition to upholding the hearing examiner’s decision.
In September 1999, Michele Asher
filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission that she was subjected to
unwanted sexual comments and advances by the company owner, James Scott,
throughout her employment. Ms. Asher also stated that because of Mr. Scott’s
unlawful behavior she was forced to resign her employment with The Maids of
Lexington.
The Commission issued a
determination of probable cause on March 12, 2001. A pre-hearing conference was
held on August 24, 2001, after efforts at conciliation were unsuccessful.
At the public hearing on October 18, 2001, Ms. Asher produced evidence
that she was the victim of sexual harassment and that in response to the
harassment she had no alternative but to resign. In August 2002, the hearing
examiner issued a decision awarding Ms. Asher a personal apology from Mr. Scott,
$2,500 in lost wages and $7,500 embarrassment and humiliation. The Commission
reviewed the hearing examiner’s decision on September 23, 2022 and awarded Ms.
Asher an increased amount of $25,000 for embarrassment and humiliation, in
addition to upholding the hearing examiner’s decision for an apology and
compensation for lost wages.
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