Statement of Mary Ann Hetreed
May 1997
Allstate Insurance Company’s reaction to a charge of quid pro quo sexual harassment by a high-ranking Vice President was to begin a campaign of retaliation against the victim and then fire her after almost 10 years of outstanding performance!
I was subjected to outrageous sexual harassment including coerced sex by a Vice President of Allstate Insurance Company in Northbrook, Illinois. Some incidents occurred at company off-site meetings paid for by Allstate.
Having witnessed retaliation against others who spoke out against an Officer, I had no place to turn. My own boss and other Officers witnessed the harassment, but did nothing.
Encouraged to file charges by Corporate Security, I did so in September, 1995. Despite repeated commitments from Corporate Security and the Law Department that there would be no retaliation, Allstate began a campaign of retaliation against me including — Human Resources disclosing the charges to many of my staff, a significant reduction in my responsibilities, and down-grading my performance reviews. After advising my boss how seriously ill I was as a result of the harassment, his response was to appoint a new supervisor over me — a man who had previously sexually harassed me verbally !!! On February 24, 1997 Allstate suspended me and on March 7 they fired me. I was escorted from the premises with five minutes notice and told not to return. This, after almost 10 years of “Exceeds” reviews, promotions, and dedicated service to the company.
Although Allstate acknowledged that the harassment occurred, they are using their formidable resources – your premium dollars – to fight my lawsuit. I am now unemployed, struggling to find a job at the age of 47.
The only reason more is not known about their discriminatory practices and a corporate environment where Officers are exempt from the rules, is that employees are afraid to speak out, having witnessed willful and malicious retaliation such as I experienced.
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