Blizzard v. Appliance Direct, Inc.
16 So. 3d 922 (Fla. 5th DCA 2009) (August)
The trial court granted a directed verdict to the employer in a sexual harassment case. The employee alleged that her boss consistently made lewd comments to her female coworkers and was generally inappropriate in every way. However, the plaintiff testified that the boss’ sexual advances were always aimed at other women and not to her. She testified that he eventually fired her when she stood up for another female employee. The employer argued that she just quit. On appeal, the Court reversed the directed verdict. It held that the abusive language did not have to be directed at the plaintiff and would be sufficient if it simply had the effect of creating a discriminatory and abusive work environment. The Court also noted that the plaintiff was a member of the protected class (women) being discriminated against.