TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced Dec. 4 that Statewide Roadside Assistance of Toms River and its owner, Neal K. Prashad, will pay $57,920 for emotional distress and lost wages after allegations of persistent sexual harassment against a female employee.
“The conduct in this case goes straight to the core of the sexual harassment discussion taking place in every corner of our nation right now,” Porrino said. “Upon reporting for work each day, this employee was put in a very difficult and stressful circumstance. She was economically dependent on her job for the sake of her children, and regularly harassed on that job – in the form of overtly sexual comments, inappropriately suggestive invitations and unwanted physical touching – by someone who held sway over both her hourly wage and her continued employment.”
According to allegations, the female employee worked as a dispatcher for Statewide and became the focus of daily verbal and physical sexual harassment from company owner Prasad. In addition to restitution for the employee, Statewide must pay $52,350 in costs and penalties.
“Let this case serve as a message to company owners and workplace supervisors throughout New Jersey,” Porrino said. “There simply is no place for the kind of abusive and sexually harassing behavior that occurred in this work environment daily, and we will hold accountable any employer who engages in such conduct or who tolerates it by others.”