Employee allegedly peeped on undressing co-worker, suit claims

A Metairie business is facing a lawsuit after it allegedly fired a female employee who complained about a co-worker trying to watch her undress in a restroom.

Jami Mandill filed suit against Mobile-One Auto Sound Inc. on Feb. 11 in federal court in New Orleans.

Mandill was employed as one of the defendant's salespeople of audio equipment for automobiles since September 2007. She states that beginning in the spring of 2009, a male co-employee would intermittently spy on her when she was changing clothes in the employee bathroom.

According to the lawsuit, on June 5 or 6, 2009, the co-worker and Mandill's manager began peering through a vent on the bathroom door and teasing Mandill about being able to see her undressing.

The next work day, she complained of the behavior and sexual harassment to the general manager but states her complaints were ignored. The general manager became angry and told Mandill he was going to find a way to get rid of her, the lawsuit states.

Mandill claims that the general manager became disrespectful in front of co-employees, criticized her performance without justification, writing her up without cause and telling her that nobody liked her or wanted to work with her.

She filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on June 22, 2009. She was fired from her job on the next work day, the suit claims.

The defendant is accused of gender discrimination, creating a hostile work environment and for violating Mandill's civil rights.

Mandill is seeking damages for loss of wages, loss of business opportunity, loss of equity in property, loss of rental income, damage to her credit, loss of emotional well-being, depression, anxiety, extreme stress and mental anguish, embarrassment and humiliation, loss of lifestyle, medical expenses, punitive damages, court costs and attorney fees.

The plaintiff is represented by New Orleans attorney David J. L'Hoste. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Ivan L. R. Lemelle is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-00335