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Funeral Home Employees Claim that Boss Was Preoccupied With Sex

June 16, 2016 Sexual Harassment

Multiple women filed complaints about his aggressive and inappropriate behavior

Working in close proximity to dead bodies wasn’t a problem for three former employees at McWhite’s Funeral Home.

However, working in close proximity to their boss was a different story. It seems that the business owner had a hard time keeping his hands – and his sexual fantasies – to himself.

That’s according to a lawsuit that was recently settled with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

While the women ultimately received a monetary settlement, the payout probably didn’t make up for the predatory behavior they claim they had to endure while working at the funeral parlor.

Let’s take a look at what happened in this case and then talk about what it means to you.

Pattern of Inappropriate Conduct

Ashlee Monroe, Khiante Thompson and Vancinia Jones didn’t all work for McWhite’s Funeral Home at the same time, but they all ultimately ended up in the same place: at the EEOC, where they each filed sexual harassment claims.

The women claim that the owner of the funeral home, Albert McWhite, Sr., repeatedly propositioned them, touched them, and discussed his sexual desires. He also showed them lewd pictures of nude women, as well as photos of himself at an orgy.

Monroe, who was attempting to launch her career in the funeral business, was allegedly told that she should attend a funeral directors’ convention so she could sleep with McWhite. She also claims that McWhite mentioned that she’d never make enough money unless she slept with him.

Monroe states that she often witnessed McWhite propositioning other female employees using vulgar language. She claims that she also overheard him threaten one woman’s job after she ended an affair with him.

Customers Were Targets

Thompson’s experience may have been different from Monroe’s, but she found her employment at McWhite’s Funeral Home similarly disturbing.

After Thompson got fed up about McWhite commenting on and secretly photographing female customers’ bodies, she complained to the EEOC. McWhite demanded she write a letter stating that she hadn’t witness any inappropriate behavior, but she refused. Not long after that, McWhite took her off the schedule.

Jones also claims that she experienced retaliation against after complaining about McWhite’s conduct. She stated that McWhite badmouthed her to other funeral directors so that she was unable to get another job.

The EEOC eventually consolidated the complaints and sued for sexual harassment and retaliation on the three women’s behalf.

Rather than have to face a jury trial, McWhite decided to settle the case. He must pay $85,000 to the former employees.

(The case discussed here is EEOC v. McWhite’s Funeral Home, Inc.)

Call Us for a Free Consultation

No one should have to put up with sexual harassment in order to remain employed. If you’ve been harassed, or if you’ve been penalized for opposing unlawful behavior, it’s a good idea to speak to an employment law attorney.

Email us at murphy@phillyemploymentlawyer.com, or call (267) 273-1054 for a free consultation.