Bridgewater Associates, a Connecticut based company and the world’s largest hedge fund, recently reported that it has settled a sexual harassment claim filed by a former employee. As part of the settlement agreement, the plaintiff agreed to drop his sexual harassment claim, and Bridgewater released him from the non-compete clause of his employment contract, allowing him to obtain another job with a private equity firm.
According to the plaintiff’s claim filed in January, he was repeatedly propositioned for sex by his male supervisor. He also claims that after discussing the harassment with Bridgewater’s human resources department, officials at the firm attempted to persuade him to drop the complaint. According to the lawsuit, an atmosphere of fear and intimidation at Bridgewater caused him to delay reporting the harassment.
The founder of Bridgewater Associates has fiercely refuted the plaintiff’s characterization of the firm. Bridgewater employment contracts require employees to resolve disputes through binding arbitration which indicates that the settlement was likely reached through arbitration after the claim was withdrawn from the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. Bridgewater is now also facing a related complaint brought by the National Labor Relations Board alleging that the hedge fund has been interfering with employee rights and attempting to prevent employees from filing complaints or giving testimony to the federal labor board through coercion.
Sexual harassment at work is unacceptable and unlawful. If you have been subjected to sexual harassment at the workplace, call Philadelphia sexual harassment lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. at 215-569-1999 or contact us online for a free case evaluation. Our experienced employment attorneys will review your case and help you determine what legal options may be best for you.
