Hyundai Employee Alleges Job Bias, Sex Harassment : Lawsuit: Debra M. Douglas contends she was passed over for promotion and was once fondled. The firm denies the allegations.

Hyundai Motor America executives and one of the company’s employees will face each other in court over allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination.

Debra M. Douglas, who works in the public relations department as a spokeswoman for the company’s national office, has alleged that she has been passed over twice for promotion, is paid far less than her male counterparts and has had to train at least one boss who had had less public relations experience than she had.

In addition, the suit says, two male executives have made sexual remarks to Douglas, kissed or fondled her in public.

The suit is scheduled for trial Feb. 16 in Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana.

The company denies the allegations and says it will contest them in court.

Douglas began taking action early last year by filing a complaint with the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing. The department on April 29 issued her a right-to-sue letter--a document that a harassment claimant must have before taking court action. The letter does not imply that the state has investigated the case.

Douglas’ lawyer, Donald Wallace of San Pedro, said Douglas has since been given a small raise but that some of her job duties have been taken away. He has filed an amendment to the original suit, alleging retaliation by the company.

According to Hyundai’s staff attorney, Adam Bloomenstein, neither of the men whom Douglas accuses of harassment is still at the Fountain Valley office. Bruce Matthias, former national manager of public relations, left the company in April 1989, and Mark Juhn, an executive vice president, now works in Hyundai offices in Korea.

Juhn’s departure “was part of a normal rotation,” Bloomenstein said. “Mr. Juhn was not disciplined because our internal investigation concluded that there was no harassment.”

Douglas was hired for the position of public relations analyst in June, 1986, the lawsuit says. The harassment she is alleging took place between 1988 and January, 1992, according to the suit.