Gretchen Carlson Alleges Sexual Harassment at Fox

July 9, 2016

Former Fox News Channel anchor Gretchen Carlson sued network chief executive Roger Ailes on Wednesday, claiming she was fired after she refused his sexual advances.

Gretchen Carlson has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit in New Jersey’s Bergen County.

Carlson, the former host of a daytime show at Fox, alleges that Ailes retaliated against her because of complaints she had made about discrimination and harassment. The 11-year Fox employee was anchoring a 2 p.m. show when she said she was fired on June 23 at the end of her contract.

She said her firing came nine months after Ailes told her during a meeting that “you and I should have had a sexual relationship a long time ago.”

50-year-old Carlson was Miss America in 1989.

She alleges in the lawsuit that Ailes, who is 76, ogled her, repeatedly commented about her legs, urged her to wear clothes that enhanced her figure and told her she was sexy but “too much hard work.”

Carlson said she was fired as a host of the morning show “Fox & Friends” in 2013, and her pay reduced with the transfer to a daytime slot, because she had complained about sexual harassment.

She said that one of her “Fox & Friends” co-hosts, Steve Doocy, “had created a hostile work environment by regularly treating her in a sexist and condescending way.” She said that when Ailes heard of her complaints, he called her a “man hater” who needed to learn to “get along with the boys.”

Carlson said that Ailes punished her by cutting back on political interviews that she conducted and ending a regular appearance she made on Bill O’Reilly’s prime-time program, generally Fox’s highest-rated show.

“I have strived to empower women and girls throughout my entire career,” Carlson said in a statement. “Although this was a difficult step to take, I had to stand up for myself and speak out for all women and the next generation of women in the workplace.”

The lawsuit asks for an unspecified amount of payment for damages.

Every person has the right to a workplace that is free of sexual harassment and discrimination. Even though there are laws in place that protect American workers from such behavior, legal cases involving sexual harassment are too common. Our Florida Workplace Discrimination Lawyers at Whittel & Melton are committed to achieving justice for employees who have suffered harassment or discrimination at their job.

Sexual harassment is never OK, regardless of what your work environment is. When someone is sexually harassed, it can not only affect their job performance, but it can also interfere with their personal and social life.

If you or someone you care about has been the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, we can help. Call us today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online for a free consultation. We will discuss the legal options available to you and how we can successfully recover financial compensation on your behalf.