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Buffalo Bills Cheerleaders Sue NFL Over Harsh Work Conditions
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: May 5, 2014
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Lawsuits by NFL cheerleaders against the organization seem to be a growing trend.
The latest plaintiff(s), the Buffalo Jills – cheerleaders for the Buffalo Bills organization, recently filed a lawsuit against the franchise claiming they worked hundreds of hours without pay and were subjected to harsh work conditions.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the cheerleaders said they were groped and targeted with sexual comments in addition to not being compensated for work. The Jills have decided to cease operations.
“If they cease operations, they will blame the lawsuit for the destruction of the Jills, when that was not intended at all,” Lawyer Frank Dolce told the Associated Press. “We love the Bills. We love the Jills. We do not love the travesty of its management that has occurred over the last few years.”
Consequences
If the allegations are proven true, the Bills organization could be in trouble, as it would have violated multiple laws. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission it is unlawful to harass a person because of that person’s sex, especially if the harassment creates a hostile or offensive work environment, which is what the Jills allege. The harasser can be a supervisor, a co-worker or someone who is not an employee of the employer.
The Bills organization could also be found in violation of U.S. wage laws. Employers are required to provide compensation that amounts to – at least – the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. If it is true the Jills were not paid, the organization would be in direct violation of this law.
In the past couple of months, cheerleaders from the Oakland Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals had similar claims, so it will be interesting to see if any other groups come out with allegations in the future.
- Industries: Entertainment & Media
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