MORGANTOWN — The former general manager of the Sabraton Dunkin’ Donuts and the company that owns the store have been sued by a former employee who said she was subjected to a “campaign of sexual harassment.”
Plaintiff Joanna Roller filed the suit, which names Robert Garrison and Doughnut Joe’s LLC., as defendants, in Monongalia County Circuit Court last week.
Garrison was, during the actions alleged in the suit, the general manager of the Sabraton Dunkin’ Donuts.
An employee of that store said Friday that Garrison had been fired. Multiple attempts to reach Joe Defazio, owner of the store, were unsuccessful.
“I think the complaint speaks for itself,” Roller’s attorney, Chirag Desai said.
The suit alleges Garrison and Doughnut Joe’s committed sexual harassment, created a hostile work environment and inflicted emotional distress. Doughnut Joe’s is additionally accused of negligent retention of Garrison.
Roller is seeking back pay and benefits since her constructive discharge, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney fees and costs, front pay in lieu of reinstatement and other relief the court deems proper.
According to the suit:
Roller was hired as a cashier in January 2018, when she was 19 years old.
Garrison is a married man in his early 50s who used his power and authority to “sexually groom, harass, and abuse many of his female subordinates — often much younger than him.”
His conduct created a “sexually hostile work environment” for many employees, including Roller, the suit reads.
Garrison commented on the looks of female customers and employees in front of his employees and he encouraged Roller to wear a specific type of leggings to work because “he liked them better.”
The suit also alleges Garrison showed pornographic videos and photos, sometimes those of current or former female employees.
“In that vein, Mr. Garrison even asked one of his male subordinates who had previously had romantic relations with Ms. Roller for naked pictures of her,” the suit said.
Garrison is also accused of inappropriately touching female employees, including Roller.
Doughnut Joe’s had knowledge of at least two incidents regarding Garrison’s behavior, according to the lawsuit.
The business owns and operates at least six Dunkin’ Donuts locations, has been sued for sexual harassment before and did not disseminate or enforce a sexual harassment policy, the suit alleges.
Workplaces controlled by Doughnut Joe’s do not require sexual harassment training, do not have a separate human resources department and do not have notices forbidding sexual harassment or providing reporting options posted in the workplace.
Roller attempted to complain about Garrison, but couldn’t.
She asked another female employee for the human resources number and that employee said she was never given one.
The employee suggested Roller look up a corporate number because, “You know Dre and Joe aren’t going to do anything.”
The suit indicates Dre refers to the district manager and Joe refers to Defazio — the only two people above Garrison.
Dunkin’ corporate said there was nothing they could do because Doughnut Joe’s was an independent franchise.
As a result of the sexually hostile work environment, Roller had “no choice” but to resign and was “constructively discharged.”
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