Mark Steines, former co-host of the Hallmark Channel's Home & Family, filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging the network and parent company, Crown Media, fired him after he reported on-the-job sexual harassment and verbal abuse.
Steines was let go in May 2018 after making several complaints that the show's executive producer harassed and abused producers on the show. The lawsuit recounts two specific incidences including a report of a photograph that was circulated of the executive producer grabbing and forcing a kiss on a female producer. Steines reported the photo to his rep in hopes the network would take action.
There are also allegations that the executive producer engaged in gender discrimination by making a female colleague beg for vacation time and that he made an admission of anger management and rage problems.
Additionally, Steines alleges that management failed to take any action and instead took away work and cut his salary before eventually firing him. This lawsuit comes after months of men and women in television and movies revealing numerous accounts of sexual harassment and abuse. There are laws in place to protect witnesses and employees from retaliation who report sexual harassment. It is important for both men and women to report instances of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Nilges Draher prides itself on protecting the rights of those who have been harassed and/or retaliated against. If you feel you have been harassed or retaliated against, call our office for a free consultation.