Former Custodian Files Lawsuit Against Mayo Clinic

A former custodial worker at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota has filed a lawsuit against the health care giant  alleging it unjustly fired her after she accused her supervisor of raping her, the Star Tribune reports.

Yelena Ryabchuk, filed the lawsuit in Olmsted County District Court for “sexual discrimination” and “in violation of the Minnesota Human Rights Act.” She is seeking monetary compensation for “loss of past and future income, emotional distress, loss of reputation and related damages,” according to the lawsuit.

A Mayo Clinic representative denied Ryabchuk’s allegation. “Mayo Clinic is not in a position to comment on specifics related to Ms. Ryabchuk’s recently commenced lawsuit,” said Ginger Plumbo, Mayo Clinic spokesperson. “Mayo terminated Ms. Ryabchuk’s employment in accordance with Mayo Clinic’s workplace policies and the law after following a thorough internal investigation. Mayo Clinic denies Ms. Ryabchuk’s allegations and will defend itself vigorously in court.”

Police told the Star Tribune that no charges have been filed against the supervisor and the case remains open but inactive at Ryabchuk’s request. Her attorney reports she “was feeling intimidated at the time [by] the events that were happening.”

Although sexual harassment charges in the workplace have decreased in the last few years, workers in the cleaning industry remain at risk as they often work alone and at night. Workers in the cleaning industry have been active in the #MeToo movement to bring attention to the problem of sexual harassment in the workplace, with victims often not reporting incidences due to intimidation and lack of knowledge on what to do.