HOUSTON -- A Tomball woman is suing her former employer, alleging sexual harassment in the workplace and unfair treatment because she is female.
Kellie Ranum filed a lawsuit Sept. 11 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Nebraska Book Company Inc. in Waverly, alleging violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
According to the complaint, Ranum began working for Nebraska Book on May 30, 2010, always receiving exemplary job performance reviews resulting in three promotions. After she discovered her pay was substantially less than that of a male co-worker, the suit says, she brought her concerns to the defendant's senior vice president and was was told she would receive a pay increase but did not.
In addition, the lawsuit states, in early 2013, Ranum began receiving unwanted sexual advances from a male co-worker as well as inappropriate text messages. Even after the plaintiff was terminated after bringing complaints about the harassment the defendant continued to retaliate against her, the suit says.
Ranum seeks actual damages, back pay, front pay, general damages for the damage to her reputation and for mental pain and anguish, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney fees and court costs. She is represented by attorney Ellen Sprovach of Rosenberg & Sprovach in Houston.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case number 4:15-cv-02629