Massage Therapist Sues Massage Envy After Alleged Sexual Assault by Coworker
In a disturbing recent lawsuit, a massage therapist working for Massage Envy alleges she was sexually assaulted by a co-worker during a session intended to treat her upper neck and back pain. The lawsuit asserts that the male colleague inappropriately touched her, violating her personal boundaries and the company’s policies. The anonymous victim recounts the painful incident that forced her to leave a job she once loved. “That is not a safe place for me or anybody else…I’m trapped, and I’m trapped too because I need my job.” According to the suit, during the session, the massage therapist slid his hands under her underwear and groped her. The emotional trauma of the assault, combined with the fear of working in the same environment, made it impossible for her to continue her career at this massage center.
According to the lawsuit, despite the employer’s policy that prohibits working under clients’ undergarments, which is a zero-tolerance offense, the alleged perpetrator was not immediately terminated. Instead, he was relocated to another location and continued working until he was eventually fired. This failure to act promptly and decisively not only violates the company’s policies but also endangers other employees and clients.
Workers should not fear for their safety while doing their jobs. At the Law Office of Eric A. Boyajian, we regularly litigate sexual harassment and constructive discharge cases. If you have been subjected to sexual harassment or sexual assault in the workplace, give us a call for a free evaluation.