SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A Sioux Falls woman, who is marking her 20-year career with the United States Postal Service, is suing her employer in federal court for sexual discrimination and retaliation.

Cindy Ekeren works as a mail clerk at the USPS processing and distribution center on North 4th Avenue in Sioux Falls

Ekeren is accusing USPS of not following its own policies when it comes to sexual harassment and retaliating against her when she reported what she called a “serial harasser” at work.

Ekeren says in April of 2018, a male co-worker repeatedly asked for her home address so he could come to her home and massage her and he told her that her body was driving him “crazy.”

In court documents, Ekeren says she felt disgusted, anxious and worried about the situation because she could not entirely avoid contact with this co-worker while doing her job.

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Ekeren told a female co-worker, who said he had also made unwanted advances toward her, and that he had been previously accused of rape and had also harassed another female USPS employee.

According to the USPS’ own written policy, “managers and supervisors are responsible for preventing harassment and inappropriate behavior could lead to illegal harassment and must respond promptly when they learn of such conduct.”

The policy also states that “reprisal against employees to raise a claim of harassment or report inappropriate conduct is illegal and can result in disciplinary action.”

In her case, Ekeren says when she reported this incident in July of 2018, it was acknowledged to her that the man had sexually harassed two other female co-workers and previously been accused of rape.

Months went by and Ekeren says nothing happened.

Ekeren says then she was disciplined for an attendance issue, the first disciplinary action against her in 18 years.

source: USPS worker sues for sexual harassment and retaliation