What is the name of your state? Oklahoma
I work for the owner of a company who has been sued for harassment and hostility by a former assistant. The employee had a history of flaunting her enhanced physical attributes, engaging in flirtatious behaviors with other males in the workplace, and one who freely shared info about her ongoing 4-yr affair with a married man while she herself was married. (Her husband shot himself in their church parking lot after she refused to work through their marital problems.) She recently lost her financial support from the married boyfriend, and sought to recoup it from this employer! Money is her God, she makes no bones about it. I have read the 3-page allegation from her lawyer, and as an objective 3rd party, I will tell you the accusations are baseless and barely rise to the level of smut fiction. Yes, the employer is demanding at times. Yes, he is particular and sets high standards as most corporate heads would. He is also reluctant to drag his company through the public spotlight of a lawsuit, and has been the victim of embezzlement by two high-profile employees in the recent past. The plaintiff has knowledge of these two priors, and is banking on the fact he/the company will not pursue a vigorous defense, but in fact, keel over and pay 'damages' in excess of $100,000. Oh - have I mentioned she turned out to be basically incompetent, and only worked in this role for 10 months? My question is this-- should the employer a) defend vigorously; b) pay something and be done with it; c) file a counter-claim for defamation and libel? Thanks for your response.
I work for the owner of a company who has been sued for harassment and hostility by a former assistant. The employee had a history of flaunting her enhanced physical attributes, engaging in flirtatious behaviors with other males in the workplace, and one who freely shared info about her ongoing 4-yr affair with a married man while she herself was married. (Her husband shot himself in their church parking lot after she refused to work through their marital problems.) She recently lost her financial support from the married boyfriend, and sought to recoup it from this employer! Money is her God, she makes no bones about it. I have read the 3-page allegation from her lawyer, and as an objective 3rd party, I will tell you the accusations are baseless and barely rise to the level of smut fiction. Yes, the employer is demanding at times. Yes, he is particular and sets high standards as most corporate heads would. He is also reluctant to drag his company through the public spotlight of a lawsuit, and has been the victim of embezzlement by two high-profile employees in the recent past. The plaintiff has knowledge of these two priors, and is banking on the fact he/the company will not pursue a vigorous defense, but in fact, keel over and pay 'damages' in excess of $100,000. Oh - have I mentioned she turned out to be basically incompetent, and only worked in this role for 10 months? My question is this-- should the employer a) defend vigorously; b) pay something and be done with it; c) file a counter-claim for defamation and libel? Thanks for your response.