View source for Former Museum Of Sex Employee Sues Claiming Sexual Harassment

A former staffer at the Museum of Sex in [/news/new_york/index.html New York City] has filed a civil lawsuit accusing the institution of failing to protect her from being sexually harassed by her co-workers and drunken patrons.<br>The plaintiff,  21-year-old Katherine McMahon, alleges that when she asked her supervisors to take action, she was told that 'it's the nature of the establishment.' <br>The 14-page complaint seeking punitive damages, attorney's fees and other forms of compensation, was filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on Wednesday, accusing the museum located in Midtown Manhattan of creating a hostile work environment, failure to accommodate and unlawful termination. <br>         Former gallery attendant Katherine McMahon, 21, has filed a civil lawsuit against the Museum of Sex in Midtown Manhattan, alleging hostile work environment and discrimination<br>'The Museum of Sex, despite its provocative advertisements, is still a place of work, and, as such, its employees are entitled to a workplace free of sexual harassment,' the lawsuit reads.<br><br>'The Museum cannot continue to get away with refusing to address systemic sexual harassment.' <br>DailyMail.com on Thursday reached out to the museum seeking comment on the lawsuit. <br>The museum emailed a statement in response that read: 'We are disappointed by Ms.<br><br>McMahon's decision to file a lawsuit and take her meritless case into the public arena. The Museum of Sex makes every effort to protect its employees, and Ms. McMahon's allegations to the contrary are unfounded. <br>'Further, the Museum repeatedly and consistently accommodated Ms.<br><br>McMahon's medical needs, and would have continued to do so had she not elected to voluntarily resign her employment. Ultimately, we will prove that Ms. McMahon's claims are baseless and we look forward to resolving the matter.' <br>According to the court filing, McMahon was hired by the museum in February 2018 as a part-time gallery attendant.<br><br>She was paid $13.25 an hour to give guided tours, answer questions about artworks and conduct research for exhibits.<br>She quit her job in December 2018 after her complaints concerning sexual harassment were allegedly ignored by management, making working conditions 'intolerable.' <br>'The Museum of Sex has a problem keeping their employees free from sexual harassment,' her lawsuit alleges.<br><br>'Patrons and co-workers of the Museum grope its employees, use utterly inappropriate sexual language, and inquire into employees' private sex lives. The Museum has done nothing to discourage this behavior, despite numerous complaints.'<br>The lawsuit claims that throughout her employment at the Museum of Sex, McMahon was subjected to 'constant and persistent sexual harassment' from patrons, which ranged from inappropriate comments to groping.<br>   RELATED ARTICLES  [# Previous] [# 1] [# Next]     [/news/article-7162979/Arkansas-woman-28-sues-Hunter-Biden-child-support-claiming-father-baby.html  Arkansas woman, 28, sues Hunter Biden for child support...] [/femail/article-7161795/Star-Trek-actress-Marina-Sirtis-reveals-molested-babysitters-teenage-sons.html  British-born Star Trek actress Marina Sirtis reveals she was...]    <br><br><br><br>Share this article<br>Share<br><br><br>‘Ms. McMahon, as well as other gallery attendants, repeatedly complained to their Managers and the Museum's human resources department, yet nothing of substance was done to improve the working conditions for the Museum's staff,' the complaint reads.<br>Last August, museum staff sent the management an email detailing their grievances, specifically complaining about the decision to extend museum hours.<br>‘This change in hours is a policy that will also exacerbate other problems at the museum.<br><br>For  [https://ourmomzone.blogspot.com/2020/04/tips-to-save-when-planning-your-wedding.html https://ourmomzone.blogspot.com/2020/04/tips-to-save-when-planning-your-wedding.html] example, the presence of intoxicated people in the galleries has risen to an unacceptable level,' the letter stated. ‘Drunk people are the majority of people who sexually harass and grope staff.'<br>The email went on to say that almost every female staffer has experienced sexual harassment and assault.<br>‘There is no way for us to call security when we need them, and further, when we are able to report sexual harassment or assault, the patron is simply followed throughout the rest of the museum instead of rightfully asked to leave,' the employees lamented.<br><br>‘We are asking for a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment or assault… these problems have not been appropriately addressed by HR. We ask that HR take these concerns more seriously—the response in the past has been dismal.'<br>The staff added a series of suggestions to improve working conditions at the museum, including adopting a code of conduct for customers, posting signs reminding patrons not to harass staff and holding regular employee meetings.<br>According to the suit, Daniel McCluskey, the direct of operators, responded to the email a week later, admitting lapses in security at the museum.<br>But beyond that, according to the lawsuit, the management has done nothing to address the staffers' grievances.<br>In October, McMahon reached out to the director of human resources, saying she was approached by two customers who asked her if they could have sex in the museum's adult-themed bounce house shaped like breasts.<br>         The lawsuit states that one time, a couple of patrons asked McMahon to spank them after she refused to let them have sex inside this breast-shaped bounce house (couple not pictured)<br>When the 21-year-old gallery attendant reminded the randy patrons that having sex in public is against the law, she said the pair asked if she would 'spank them,' according to the lawsuit.<br>McMahon asked the head of HR to explain to her the museum's protocols and policies pertaining to sexual harassment complaints, but according to the lawsuit, the HR director never responded to her.<br>McMahon's complaint also accuses her former place of employment of discriminating against her, and failing to make accommodations for her severe endometriosis - a chronic condition that causes pelvic pain, fatigue and nausea, and which could be exacerbated by standing for long periods of time and lifting heavy objects.<br>On her first day of work, McMahon told her supervisor about her diagnosis and asked that she be allowed to sit during her shifts.<br>Although she was reassured by the director of operations that she could sit whenever necessary, the 21-year-old tour guide was repeatedly reprimanded for not standing in the galleries during work hours, and forced to explain her condition, according to the complaint.<br>The court documents allege that managers also spread the word about McMahon's illness, which she had sought to keep confidential, thus violating her right to privacy.<br>‘As a result of her working environment, Ms.<br><br>McMahon has suffered exacerbated posttraumatic stress disorder, hypervigilance, paranoia, anxiety, depression, and severe emotional distress including, but not limited to, fear of men, fear of reporting sexual harassment, and hopelessness,' the complaint states. <br>