The case was filed on July 31, 2015 and the nature of the suit is civil rights-employment
A woman sales representative from Louisiana has filed a lawsuit against Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) and Promius Pharma, which is its dermatology focused speciality business, over sexual harassment claims. However, DRL has refuted the allegations and said that it will defend in this issue.
Sarah Johnson filed a lawsuit against Promius Pharma and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories on July 31 in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana citing sexual harassment and retaliation. According to Louisiana Eastern District Court, the case was filed on July 31, 2015 and the nature of the suit is civil rights-employment. The matter is still pending at the court and a hearing happened on November 19, 2015.
“DRL and Promius Pharma refute all of the allegations made by Ms Johnson in this matter. The charges levelled by Johnson were dismissed by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in May 2015. We will defend against these allegations in the present matter and at this time, have no further comment,” DRL said in a statement to FE.
It was reported to court by Johnson that since her employment as a sales representative for Promius Pharma and DRL beginning August 2011, she has been repeatedly sexually harassed by Don Sudbery, her direct supervisor. She reported Sudbery’s alleged constant and severe sexual harassment and was assured the advances would stop, but Johnson claims that he still continued to harass her — via his wife or daughter’s cellphone, leaving several messages. Johnson claims the impact caused her to suffer panic attacks and become chronically addicted to cigarettes and alcohol.
Johnson claimed that Promius Pharma and DRL put her on a 60-day performance plan in June 2014 and the plan was entirely based on her performance during the harassment of Sudbery and the three months following his departure, when she had no manager. The plan consisted, she claims, of nearly unattainable goals, requiring her to provide extra weekly reports to be submitted and on average two-hour weekly conference calls with management. She claims if she did not meet those goals, she was told she could be fired.
Johnson is seeking damages for physical and mental pain and suffering, past and future medical expenses, punitive and exemplary damages, the cost of suit and past and future lost wages and earning capacity. She is represented by New Orleans-based attorneys Charles M Thomas, Stephen M Huber and Logan S Albertine of Huber, Slack, Thomas & Marcelle.