TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Acting Attorney General John Hoffman announced Tuesday that a North Jersey party host company will pay $15,000 to a former employee to resolve allegations of sexual harassment.
Hoffman and the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights announced the settlement with Screamin' Parties of Paramus, which will also have its workers undergo anti-discrimination training as part of the agreement. A teenage girl who worked for Screamin' Parties allegedly suffered sexual harassment on the job and was later fired for reporting it.
Screamin' Parties hosts parties for children and features arena areas containing obstacle courses, bounce houses and inflatable slides.
The girl, known as A.C. in a formal complaint filed with the division, was allegedly subjected to unwelcome, suggestive overtures by her male supervisor. She alleged that on at least one occasion, her supervisor sent her a text message using the f-word. A.C. also alleged inappropriate workplace comments about her by the supervisor.
A month after complaining about the allegedly harassing behavior, A.C. was fired because she purportedly breached company policy. The breach involved having her cell phone in the play area, a violation for which other employees received only verbal warnings.
Under the terms of the settlement, Screamin' Parties will pay $15,000 to A.C., require that its managers and employees undergo anti-discrimination training, put anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies in place and expunge records of A.C. being terminated, indicating that she resigned in good standing.
Screamin' Parties admits no liability or wrongdoing as part of the settlement agreement.
Acting N.J. AG announces settlement in sexual harassment case
