Sex Isn’t Part of the Job, Woman Tells Arizona

PHOENIX (CN) - An Arizona state employee claims in court that her boss told her that "sexual favors" were "a term and condition of [her] continued employment."

Dorene Z. sued Arizona and her former boss, James Tidwell, in Federal Court.

Z claims that since "shortly after" the Arizona Department of Transportation hired her in 2001, "she has been subjected to the advances and sexual demands of the defendant Tidwell," who "made repeated demands for sexual favors from the plaintiff which became and were made known as unwelcome, unsolicited and non-consensual."

Z claims that Tidwell told her repeatedly that "her rejection of his demands for sexual favors would result in unfavorable treatment which included, but were not limited to, adversely affecting the plaintiff's scheduled hours of work, overtime, assigned vehicle, assigned office space, duties, training, work responsibilities, co-worker assignments and opportunities for advancement."

She claims her other supervisors were aware of this "unlawful treatment," but "none reported, investigated or otherwise acted to cease the unlawful actions of the defendant Tidwell toward the plaintiff."

Z wants the state and Tidwell ordered to stop discriminating and retaliating against her for her sex, age, and national origin (Hispanic), and punitive damages.

She is represented by Richard Martinez of Tucson.

Follow @jamierossCNS

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