Female firefighters in South Florida face discrimination, harassment

[trumad]

Death threats. Timed bathroom visits — for women only. A stolen bathing suit soiled with a coworker's semen.

Experts say bias in the firehouse is still commonplace, despite federal laws against harassment and discrimination.

"It is 2012, but we still have a lot of issues out there," said Jeanne Pashelek, president of the International Association of Women in Fire and Emergency Services. "It ranges from verbal abuse to physical assault to rape."

At least 10 firefighters who still or once worked for Davie, both men and women, have filed complaints with the EEOC alleging discrimination — prompting a visit from U.S. Department of Justice officials.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-women-firefighters-bias-20120709,0,3414912.story

[Starry Messenger]

1. x(

Fucking gross. It's stuff like this that makes it tough for women to enter high-risk professions.

[we can do it]

3. Its Also Why Some Won't Ever Quit

got to stick it to the bastards

[we can do it]

2. Sounds Kinda What I Was Dealing With, Knuckle Dragging Neaderathals

[kdmorris]

5. My daughter is not a firefighter

But had a job that had timed (and limited) bathroom breaks. When she became pregnant, she "exceeded the limit" and they fired her when she was 5 months pregnant.

(We live in South Florida... one county to the North of the county where Davie is located).

I told her she should sue them for discrimination, but she didn't want to cause waves because they might not give her her final paycheck.

This story is sickening.