Article Originally Published Here
A former employee of the City of Sacramento has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging that it allowed a security guard to sexually harass her, leading to a series of incidents that culminated in her suffering a concussion in a City Hall elevator.
Barbara McIntyre, who worked as a traffic investigator in the public works department on the second floor of City Hall, claims in the lawsuit filed last week in Sacramento Superior Court that she experienced repeated harassment. The lawsuit alleges that McIntyre was harassed by a male security guard who would enter the women’s bathroom, which required a badge for entry, and bang on the stall doors.
As a result of these interruptions, McIntyre reportedly suffered from urinary infections and other health issues. When McIntyre’s supervisor inquired, an Allied Universal manager allegedly dismissed the incidents as “plumbing checks.”
In May 2023, McIntyre reported the harassment to the city’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office, claiming she had made multiple complaints over the years without any follow-up. The city EEO Office reportedly dropped the complaint in June 2023. After the issue persisted, McIntyre filed complaints with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the California Civil Rights Department, receiving a “right to sue” notice. Nonetheless, the city EEO Office closed the case again.
Following these events, McIntyre began using the first-floor women’s restroom, which did not require badge access. On December 8, she sustained a concussion after being trapped in a malfunctioning elevator that twice crashed down to the first floor while ascending toward the second floor.
McIntyre was on medical leave for 10 weeks following the incident but had to use her vacation and sick days instead of being placed on workers’ compensation leave. She resigned from her position in February due to the ongoing issues.
Her lawsuit includes a claim of whistleblower retaliation, alleging a violation of California labor laws. City spokesman Tim Swanson declined to comment as the city had not been served with the complaint. Allied Universal, the security company contracted by the city, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The city’s contract with Allied Universal, worth up to $27 million, is set to expire in August 2025.
