Trial Ordered in Sexual Harassment Suit : Woman Seeking $1 Million Complains of Co-Workers’ Behavior
A judge Monday set a June 3 trial date for a suit brought by a former receptionist and secretary for a major Irvine computer company accusing her boss and two co-workers of sexually harassing her.
Debra L. Lansdorp, 31, of Santa Ana filed the $1-million suit in U.S. District Court against Western Digital Corp. in August. In court documents, the company denies all of Lansdorp’s allegations of sexual harassment. Company officials said Monday they would not comment on the suit.
Lansdorp, who now cleans houses to support herself, said Monday: “Even if I don’t win the case, at least I stood up for my rights.”
According to court records, Lansdorp was hired in October, 1983, as a $1,150-a-month receptionist at Western Digital, which makes printed circuit boards and other computer components.
Soon afterward, Richard Rupe, manager of facilities and office services, persuaded Lansdorp to become his secretary, although she “did not like to type,” according to court records.
Agreed to Job
Lansdorp said she agreed to the job because he told her it would help her move into Western Digital’s marketing department.
Between October, 1983, and January, 1984, Lansdorp experienced an “abusive working environment,” with “repeated and unsolicited expressions of a desire to engage in sexual intercourse,” according allegations in court records.
Two employees in Rupe’s department subjected Lansdorp to “repeated unsolicited and offensive touching . . . with correspondingly offensive and sexually oriented gestures,” the suit alleges. Lansdorp said she complained to the personnel department, but then resigned.
Rupe left the company about a year ago, according to a company spokeswoman.
In August, after reviewing Lansdorp’s complaint, the federal Equal Opportunity Employment Commission issued a “right to sue” decision, according to court records. Lansdorp said state Fair Employment and Housing Department officials reviewed her case and also advised her to seek legal action.
U.S. District Judge Laughlin Waters set a trial date because no settlement has been reached.
