Calif. Court: Vulgarity Not Necessarily Harassment

The California Supreme Court ruled that sexual jokes and vulgar language not directed at a plaintiff do not constitute severe or pervasive harassment under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). In Lyle v. Warner Brothers Television Productions, No. S125171, 04/20/2006, Amaani Lyle worked as a writers' assistant for Warner Brothers Television Productions. Specifically, Lyle worked on the television show Friends. Lyle was terminated for problems with typing and transcription after four months of employment. Lyle subsequently filed this action against three of the male comedy writers a...