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Connecticut Workplace Harassment: Employee at Bradley Airport Arrested After Co-Worker’s Sexual Harassment Compliant

According to a report from Eyewitness News 3, an employee at the Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT was arrested after a co-worker filed a sexual harassment complaint. Ryan Gordon, 41-years-old, is accused of unwanted touching. Within this article, our Connecticut workplace harassment lawyer provides an overview of what we know about the case and explain your rights as a job-related sexual harassment victim in Connectitut. 

Arrest Made After Allegations of Workplace Sexual Harassment at Bradley Airport

An employee at Bradley International Airport, Ryan Gordon, was arrested for 4th degree sexual assault after a female coworker reported multiple instances of unwanted touching and sexually suggestive comments. The incident occurred on a Friday morning and it was captured on security footage. Mr. Gordon, a resident of East Hartford, was released on bond. 

Eyewitness News 3 did not provide any details as to whether or not the affected employee is preparing to file a civil workplace harassment claim. With that being said, victims of sexual harassment in the workplace have the right to take civil legal action to seek compensation for their damages under the law. An employer may be legally liable for the harassment. 

Sexual Harassment is Sex-Based Discrimination

Sexual harassment constitutes sex-based discrimination. It involves unwelcome action or conduct that is primarily targeted at a person based on his or her sex. Sexual harassment undermines equality in the workplace by creating an intimidating, hostile, and/or offensive environment. Notably, both Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act (CFEPA) provide protections against sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment. Employers have a responsibility to ensure that they have the right practices in place to prevent, defect, and address sexual harassment. An employer in Connecticut may bear liability for sexual harassment committed by a supervisor, employee, vendor/supplier, or client/customer. 

What to Do If You are Subject to Sexual Harassment While On the Job in Connecticut

Did you or your family member have the terrible experience of enduring an act of sexual harassment in the workplace in Connecticut? Your rights may have been violated and you have the opportunity to pursue justice. Take a proactive approach. Your physical safety and emotional well-being matter. Here are four steps to take after enduring workplace harassment: 

  1. Report It: Workplace sexual harassment should never be allowed to stand unchallenged. You have the right to report it. After experiencing any type of unwelcome sexual conduct, you should document the incident—noting the date, time, location, and details of the harassment, as well as any witnesses present—and report the harassment to your supervisor or the designated human resources (HR) representative. Of course, if your direct supervisor is the harasser, find an alternative reporting channel within your organization. Both federal and state laws provide workers who report sexual harassment with protections against retaliation. 
  2. Preserve Evidence: Evidence is a key part of any employment law claim. A sexual harassment case is certainly no exception to the rule. Among other things, workplace sexual harassment victims in Connecticut should try to keep a detailed journal of all incidents, including dates, times, and descriptions, to provide a timeline of events and save any related communications, such as emails, texts, or notes, that might support your account of the harassment. The more documentation you have, the better positioned you will be. 
  3. Consult With a Lawyer: Employees do not have to take on a workplace harassment case on their own. Unfortunately, employers are often more interested in protecting themselves against findings of legal liability than they are about stopping sexual harassment. A top-tier Connecticut workplace harassment lawyer can help. Your attorney will guide you through the process of filing a formal complaint, if necessary, and what to expect during your claim. 
  4. File a Claim: In some cases, an employee who is represented by a Connecticut workplace sexual harassment lawyer may be able to resolve the matter through a settlement with their employer. However, that is not always the case. A claim may be required. Indeed, even many workplace sexual harassment cases that are eventually settle are done after a formal claim has been initiated by the affected employee. 

Workplace Harassment Defined: Severe or Pervasive  

When does sexual harassment become an unlawful act? Under both Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the CFEPA, workplace harassment—including sexual harassment—is legally actionable when it is “severe or pervasive” enough to disrupt an employee’s work environment by making it intimidating, hostile, or abusive. Here are the key points to understand: 

  • Severity: The severity of an act of sexual harassment refers to the degree of offensiveness of the conduct. In some cases, a single incident  which could be severe enough to be actionable on its own. 
  • Pervasiveness. On the other hand, pervasiveness looks at the frequency and repetition of conduct. In some cases, a pattern of “small” acts could, when taken together, create a toxic work environment. 

Why Trust the Connecticut Harassment Attorneys at Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore

Workplace sexual harassment claims are complicated. If you or your loved one was the victim of sexual harassment or any other type of unwanted harassment in the workplace, it is normal to feel stressed, hurt, offended, and even overwhelmed. You need an experienced employee rights advocate on your side. At Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore, LLC, we are committed to putting your rights and your interests first. With a long record of client testimonials and representative case results, you can rely on our Connecticut sexual harassment lawyers when it matters most. 

Contact Our Connecticut Workplace Harassment Lawyer for a Confidential Consultation


At Hayber, McKenna & Dinsmore, LLC, our Connecticut workplace harassment attorneys are proud to advocate for employee rights. If you were subject to sexual misconduct in the workplace, we are here to help. Reach out to us by phone at (860) 522-8888 or contact us online for a completely confidential, no obligation initial consultation. With offices in Hartford and Milford, we represent employees in workplace harassment claims throughout the surrounding area in Connecticut.