Staff WriterChief alleged gender discrimination and harassment
An ex-firefighter of the Orlando Fire Department is accusing the city. Former fire chief claiming gender bias and physical-sexual harassment. Recent Orlando Fire Chief Roderick Williams resigned in February 2019. After the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission determined him. Williams and two assistant chiefs distinguished upon a female worker. That employee, partner fire chief Dawn Sumter, filed a claim toward the department. A jury trial is being requested. Sumter claims she was controlled to differential processing. As well as intimidating and harassing behavior by the two current delegate leaders. Williams denied her the opportunity to be considered for a promotion to deputy chief. She also added that he favored two more limited qualified employees.
The filed lawsuit against Orlando
According to the claim, Sumter was completely adequate to be promoted. During William’s occupation, she was not respected or examined. Sumter went to HR with her complaints. The lawsuit claims HR “refused to examine.” Sumter has been working with OFD since 1993. Claimed that she was constrained to undesired sexual harassment. In the lawsuit, there are included some several allegations. Including that Williams would hold Sumter and make improper judgments to her. Including showing her she was “sexy” and that he preferred she wasn’t wedded. After the EEOC study, Sumter was transported from field services to EMS. That was a “less prestigious position” inside the department. She went from managing more than 150 firefighters to nine workers. Sumter said following detailing sexual harassment and then the EEOC study. She went through punishment from Williams and others within OFD.
Including remaining banned from organizations, administration roles, and training. These have led her to the current situation. According to the lawsuit the prevalent behavior and prejudice against women within OFD. Such behavior has continued for a long time. Benjamin Barksdale Jr. was officially sworn in as Orlando Fire Department. The newest fire chief in December 2019. In his earliest months as chief. Barksdale conversed with his vision to create a “culture of respect.”
