A dozen female librarians are suing for damages of over $400,000
each because they claim that they were repeatedly exposed to
pornography when library patrons accessed such material on-line,
and that this created a hostile working environment.
According to the Pioneer Press, the lawsuit alleges that
unfiltered web access attracted patrons seeking hard core
pornography who would monopolise the library's computers and "would
react angrily and at times violently if any effort was made to
interfere".
The so-called 'Minneapolis 12' began their legal battle three
years ago. In 2001, an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
issued a preliminary ruling against the Minneapolis Library System,
saying that unrestricted internet surfing created a sexually
hostile work environment. The Commission suggested that the 12
employees receive compensation of $12,000 each and referred the
case to the Justice Department.
The Library System did not settle and the Justice Department
decided last month not to take action following a 19-month review.
Yesterday, the lawsuit was filed by the Minneapolis 12, seeking
compensation for humiliation, emotional distress and anxiety
resulting from the hostile work environment.
