Office Depot failed to properly address worker's sexual harassment concerns, lawsuit says

HOUSTON - Houston resident Maria Brito claims her complaints about a co-worker sexually harassing her led to her termination from Office Depot Inc., recent court documents say.

Brito filed the wrongful termination lawsuit in Harris County District Court in May.

The Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas received the case on June 21.

Office Depot employed the plaintiff, who speaks only Spanish, as a packer in its warehouse in Houston at the time of the events which are the focus of the litigation.

According to the suit, Brito began to experience sexual harassment from another employee in September 2012.

It says the employee allegedly tried to walk behind Brito in a manner that would allow him to rub his clothed privates against her buttocks.

Brito reported the behavior to a superior, but was reportedly told that she and her presumed aggressor "needed to get along," the original petition says.

The suit further recalls an incident in October 2012 in which the co-worker "raised his fists while walking towards her in a hostile manner."

The respondent fired Brito in December 2012 on grounds she touched a female employee.

A jury trial is requested.

Attorney Brad Peek of the Law Offices of Keith Lovelace in Houston is representing the complainant.

Case No. 4:13-CV-1816