An ex-Waffle House cook claims she was forced to quit her job after her boss “constantly” groped her, alleging the company ignored her complaints and ultimately blamed her for the sexual harassment, according to a report.
Marilyn Smith, hired as a grill operator in July 2024, alleged her male supervisor began fondling her within months, constantly grabbing her “buttocks” at work despite repeated pleas for him to stop, according to the federal lawsuit obtained by The Independent.
The South Carolina woman repeatedly raised her grievances with the restaurant chain’s district manager, but they were allegedly ignored.
The brushed-aside complaints only escalated the supervisor’s “groping and sexual harassment,” forcing Smith to quit less seven months later when the company disciplined her instead of her alleged harasser, according to the Dec. 23 filing.
The suit states she was “constructively discharged, due to her constant sexual harassment at work,” meaning her resignation may not have been voluntary, the outlet reported.
“Ms. Smith’s case, unfortunately, is indicative of the type of harassment and conduct imposed on females in the workplace,” her North Charleston attorney, Matthew King, told the The Independent.
“It is also indicative of the protect-the-company mindset of managers and human resources employees that many hourly workers are not aware of. However, Ms. Smith is standing up for herself and her right through this case, in hopes that others will not be forced to endure what she did.”
The scorned former employee, who earned at least $10 an hour, is now seeking back pay, front pay, associated benefits, and both compensatory and punitive damages, according to the suit.
Smith is also pursuing a monetary judgment for “embarrassment and humiliation.”
Waffle House did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
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