Latest news with #hostileworkenvironment
RNZ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Dunedin councillor Jim O'Malley quits as committee chair over hostile work environment
Jim O'Malley. Photo: RNZ / Ian Telfer A Dunedin councillor has resigned from chairing a committee because of what he describes as a hostile work environment. In his resignation letter, councillor Jim O'Malley said he does not feel safe as the chair of the hearings committee as he feels targeted by the chief executive. He said he has doubts about the council's commitment to follow due process and natural justice. He is also calling for an investigation into behaviour of the chief executive and the processes for different hearings including the local alcohol policy. The Dunedin City Council has been contacted for comment. More to come...
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-White House Staffer Wants Federal Investigation Launched For Caitlin Clark, WNBA
Ex-White House Staffer Wants Federal Investigation Launched For Caitlin Clark, WNBA originally appeared on The Spun. WNBA fans, or fans of Caitlin Clark in particular, have been fuming in recent months over the league's inability to protect the Indiana Fever megastar. But one former White House staffer believes that the treatment she's received in the WNBA warrants a federal investigation. In a recent column for the Wall Street Journal, former White House staff member Sean McLean made the case that the "excessive fouling, targeting, and hostile comments" she has received in the WNBA constitute a "hostile work environment." He called for a federal probe into "potential civil rights violations." "The league has fostered a hostile workplace for Ms. Clark through excessive fouling, targeting, and hostile comments from other players and owners," McLean wrote. McLean argued that the "targeting" of Clark may "reflect a culture of disparate treatment" that warrants at least an investigation, if not punishments. He pointed to a different case involving Los Angeles Sparks star Dearica Hamby's federal discrimination complaint back in 2023, when she alleged that the Las Vegas Aces traded her because she was pregnant. "Ms. Clark's targeting may reflect a culture of disparate treatment, and the evidence provides reasonable cause for a federal probe into potential civil-rights violations. This would mirror the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigation into Dearica Hamby's pregnancy discrimination claims against the WNBA and her team. Congress and the Labor and Justice departments would be justified in examining the facts." Opposition As much as some basketball fans believe that Clark is being mistreated in the WNBA, many fans believe that this suggestion from McLean is a bridge too far. "I believe CC gets targeted and hit harder than any player in the league, but this is the WNBA. This is a sport. No way in (expletive) did you really call this civil rights violations. Are you truly comparing this to police brutality, fire hoses and other forms of ACTUAL civil rights violations to someone being FOULED in a basketball game. Come on, Now! The fact the WSJ published this is actually kind of embarrassing. You are entitled to your opinion, but this is way over the line. No, it doesn't demand federal scrutiny and calling them civil rights violations is insulting and disrespectful to so many people. Did you feel the same way when Michael Jordan was getting clotheslined by Bill Laimbeer harder than any foul CC has ever had in her life. Were those fouls civil rights violations? Heck, they wrote a book about beating the crap out of him," one user responded to the op-ed. "This is the weakest article in regards to sports that has ever been written," another said. "There's no nice way to say how dumb this is. You want the Federal Government to do intercede in the WNBA because you think Clark gets fouled too hard? Can you imagine how dumb Clark must think this is?" a third pointed out. Support That isn't to say that the suggestion has been completely rejected. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith was among the biggest voices in sports media to see the article and suggest that it might not be a bad idea: "I'm not here saying the case will be won by the government if it gets to the points. I'm saying they have a case, they have an argument," Smith said on Tuesday's episode of the Stephen A. Smith Show. "If the Trump administration can settle with Columbia for a $221 million settlement over what's taken place on a campus, you think you can definitively rule out what kind of noise could be made if the WNBA continues to allow this treatment of Caitlin Clark?" Others in the comments on the post agree that McLean might be onto something there. A few have said that if they were related to Clark, they would have advised her to leave the WNBA a while ago. Do you think there needs to be a federal investigation into fouling Caitlin Clark? Ex-White House Staffer Wants Federal Investigation Launched For Caitlin Clark, WNBA first appeared on The Spun on Aug 7, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Bloomberg
09-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Hedge Fund Woodline Settles Harassment, Misogyny Lawsuit on Eve of Trial
Hedge fund Woodline Partners settled a lawsuit with a former employee over allegations that one of its co-founders sexually harassed staff and contributed to a hostile and misogynous work environment. Moments before a trial was set to begin Wednesday, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Garrett Wong told jurors that a confidential settlement had been reached the night before.
News.com.au
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Kevin Costner sued by stunt performer over ‘violent unscripted' rape scene in Horizon sequel
Kevin Costner has been slapped with a lawsuit from a stunt performer who had worked on his film Horizon: an American Saga — Chapter Two. Devyn LaBella filed a complaint against the 70-year-old actor and the production companies behind the 2024 film, alleging sexual discrimination, harassment, and the creation of a hostile work environment, according to a legal filing obtained by The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday. In legal documents, the 34-year-old claimed that she was 'the victim of a violent unscripted, unscheduled rape scene' which she noted was directed by Costner on May 2, 2023. Costner's legal team has since shut down the claims, saying LaBella's allegations have 'absolutely no merit.' 'Kevin Costner always wants to make sure that everyone is comfortable working on his films and takes safety on set very seriously,' Costner's lawyer, Marty Singer, told The Post in a statement. 'However, this claim by Devyn LaBella has absolutely no merit, and it is completely contradicted by her own actions — and the facts.' Costner's legal team also shared screenshots of text messages allegedly sent by LaBella following a cast dinner that took place after a rehearsal of the scene in question in May 2023. 'She [LaBella] was in good spirits and made no complaints to them,' Singer told the outlet. 'She continued to work on the movie for a few more weeks until her wrap date, and she took the stunt co-ordinator to a thankyou dinner.' 'She also sent him a cordial thank you text illustrated with happy heart emojis (copy attached),' he added. In her filing, LaBella said she 'experienced shock, embarrassment and humiliation while attempting to process the situation,' in the days that followed after filming. She further claimed that she was 'not hired back to continue her role or at all as a stunt double for Horizon 3, which began filming in early 2024.' In her personal statement to The Hollywood Reporter, LaBella said she was 'left exposed, unprotected, and deeply betrayed by a system that promised safety and professionalism' following the scene. 'What happened to me shattered my trust and forever changed how I move through this industry,' she told the outlet. The Western film franchise, which also stars Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Luke Wilson and Giovanni Ribisi, saw appalling box office numbers when it premiered in June 2024. Like its predecessor, Horizon: an American Saga — Chapter Two got mostly negative reviews from critics after its release.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Lawsuit filed against Augusta County Sheriff Donald Smith seeks $5.3 million
A former Augusta County deputy is suing Sheriff Donald Smith in federal court for $5.35 million amid allegations he created a hostile work environment, violated the former employee's constitutional rights and sent him numerous text messages, some of which were allegedly sexually charged. The lawsuit was filed by Dennis B. Reynolds, who worked at the Augusta County Sheriff's Office as a deputy and K-9 handler from 2016 to 2023. "The violations are especially concerning because they were committed by an elected Sheriff who swore an oath to uphold the law but instead weaponized his official authority to retaliate against a subordinate seeking legally protected accommodation," the lawsuit states. Smith said he could not comment on the lawsuit. During Reynolds' time at the sheriff's office, the lawsuit says he and Smith exchanged more than 1,100 texts over 107 conversations, with almost 70 percent of them initiated by Smith. "The volume and content of these messages demonstrates the unusual nature of this supervisor-subordinate relationship," says the lawsuit, which also claims Smith "consistently sought personal rather than professional contact with Plaintiff." According to the lawsuit, in one of the texts, Smith is alleged to have commented on the size of Reynolds' genitalia, and in others he reportedly stated "I love you and just want you to be alright" and "You know I support whatever makes you happy … But I do miss you when I can't talk to you." One text reportedly showed that Smith invited Reynolds to stay at his Churchville home, and in another the sheriff allegedly told him he could "come cuddle," the lawsuit says. "Plaintiff was afraid to report this conduct because he feared losing his position or his K-9 partner," the lawsuit states. The texts would come into question after a vehicle crash involving Reynolds' brother, according to the lawsuit. Following the December 2021 accident in Augusta County, Reynolds reached out to the Emergency Communications Center and told them his brother would handle the accident, and requested that Virginia State Police not be notified. But after Reynolds' brother determined there was more damage to the vehicle than originally thought, according to the lawsuit, Reynolds contacted state police to report the crash. But in January 2022 during an internal investigation by the Augusta County Sheriff's Office, a trooper learned Reynolds had instructed the ECC not to report the incident, prompting a state police investigation into possible obstruction, the lawsuit says. During the state police investigation, which cleared Reynolds of wrongdoing, the lawsuit states, a search warrant for his phone was obtained. The lawsuit alleges Smith got wind of the search warrant and instructed Reynolds to delete any communications concerning the crash. "Defendant Smith further ordered Plaintiff to delete ALL text messages between Defendant and Plaintiff, going beyond just the accident-related communications and extending to their entire message history," the lawsuit states. Despite Reynolds being cleared, the investigation "created significant stress and anxiety," according to the lawsuit, negatively impacting his mental health. "Moreover, Defendant Smith's directive to delete evidence demonstrated a willingness to obstruct an official investigation and placed Plaintiff at risk of potential criminal liability, creating a profound ethical conflict in their professional relationship," the lawsuit states. The lawsuit claims Smith was aware of Reynolds' "mental clarity" issues as early as March 2020, when the sheriff signed an Optima Health Referral. In early 2023, Reynolds was diagnosed with a tumor on his spine. Ultimately, the tumor was not cancerous but Reynolds continued to experience physical pain as well as heightened anxiety, depression, and other mental health symptoms, the lawsuit states. More: Waynesboro drug dealer gets 7 years tacked onto sentence as more prison time looms By May 2023, Reynolds' mental health condition had intensified to the point where he required accommodations, including time off work to address his health and wellbeing. After requesting additional time off, the lawsuit states he was denied due to staffing needs, reportedly a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Eventually, Reynolds refused to sign any disciplinary letters and, after speaking with Smith, the lawsuit says he was immediately placed on suspension, turning in his badge, firearm and vehicle. In July 2023, the lawsuit says Reynolds was reportedly issued an official termination letter by Smith that listed the reason for separation as "resigned." That same day, Smith is said to have submitted a notification of eligibility for decertification to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. But in January 2024, Reynolds' certification as a law enforcement officer was reinstated on appeal, the lawsuit says. However, when Reynolds sought employment at the Nelson County Sheriff's Office, the lawsuit says he wasn't hired after being told of a "Brady letter" provided by the Augusta County Sheriff's Office. A Brady letter is a notice sent to law enforcement agencies concerning credibility issues. "Despite the Criminal Justice Services Board's ruling that Plaintiff had not lied and its decision to reinstate his certification, Defendant Smith continued the delivery of 'Brady Letters' to potential employers," the lawsuit states. In Reynolds' eight count civil lawsuit, he cites disability discrimination, defamation, First Amendment retaliation, a hostile work environment, and Family Medical Leave Act interference and retaliation. He is seeking $5 million in damages and $350,000 in punitive damages. Reynolds is being represented by attorney Elliot M. Harding of Charlottesville. The lawsuit was filed May 14 in the United States District Court in Harrisonburg. More: Trice retiring as superintendent of Virginia School for The Deaf and the Blind Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Former deputy sues Augusta County sheriff for $5.3 million
