“Minor annoyances” or sex-based discrimination?

Description

Abstract: When a female field technician for a telecom suffered discriminatory treatment and gender-related verbal abuse, the company claimed that the complained-of conduct amounted to nothing more than minor annoyances and inconveniences — but the court felt otherwise. This article explains that, although Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 wasn’t created with the intent of creating a “code of civility” in the workplace, severe or pervasive conduct could very well be held to create a hostile work environment in a court of law. Pucino v. Verizon Communications Inc., No. 09-1306-cv, August 13, 2010 (2nd Cir.)