Jury Finds New Hampshire Company Was Hostile to Female Employee

A federal jury has found that a Salem, N.H., drywall installation company created a hostile work environment for a female employee.

The jury awarded 58-year-old Nicole L’Etoile $400,000 after she sued New England Finish Systems, charging that the company let male supervisors make crude and offensive comments about women.

Because of a federal cap on verdict awards, she’ll only be able to collect half the amount, plus attorneys’ fees.

The jury rejected arguments that L’Etoile had been laid off because of her sex or retaliated against for complaining about discrimination.

L’Etoile says the company only gave her work when a contract required that a woman be on the job site, such as federal jobs.

The company has not decided whether to appeal. It says L’Etoile was given work when her skills were right for a job.

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Information from: Concord Monitor