By Bob Kalinowski
The Citizens’ Voice
DALLAS, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is fighting back against a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former sergeant who claimed she was discriminated against at State Correctional Institution at Dallas.
In a 17-page response, the department said claims made by former employee Kristin Kirchner were thoroughly investigated and unproven.
According to the response, the department’s Equal Employment Opportunity Office investigated Kirchner’s complaint and “determined that the evidence provided did not support a finding that (Kirchner) was harassed because of her gender...”
Kirchner, who began working at the prison in 2009, alleges employees Norm Searfoss and Tom Engell engaged in harassment and that the department failed to stop the conduct, despite her complaints. She alleged the co-workers used sexually explicit language about her.
In her lawsuit, Kirchner claimed she was discharged “after eight years of unblemished service” in retaliation for standing up against sexual harassment.
The lawyer representing the defendants said Kirchner took leave from her job on Nov. 7, 2014 and never returned to work before voluntarily resigning on April 29, 2015. Kirchner’s approved leave ran out on Jan. 29, 2015, and she continued to be absent without leave until resigning, the lawyer wrote.