Takoma Aquatic Center Employee Wins Harassment Settlement

A former Takoma Aquatic Center employee was awarded $3.5 million after she was fired for complaining about her supervisor sexually harassing her, according to a story in the Washington Post.

Carmen Jean-Baptiste began working at the Takoma Aquatic Center in 2006 and shortly after starting the job alleged that her supervisor, Rodney Weaver, harassed her, the Post article said.

According to the Post story:

The attorneys said that the manager began making references to Jean-Baptiste’s genitalia and said he “wanted some of that” for his birthday. He also stroked her hair and made repeated sexual advances and comments, the lawyers said.

Jean-Baptiste reported the behavior to a half-dozen supervisors while she worked at the pool, but the harassment did not stop. Shortly after filing a written complaint in October 2006, Jean-Baptiste was fired. Her lawyers alleged that the lifeguard was fired in retaliation for reporting Weaver’s conduct.