New sexual harassment suit alleges Rivian violated fired worker’s civil rights

PEORIA (25News Now) - Another lawsuit has been filed against Rivian, accusing the company of allowing pervasive sexual harassment at the electric vehicle factory in Normal.

At least three sexual harassment lawsuits have been filed against the company, including one filed last week at the federal courthouse in Peoria.

The lawsuit claims around March of this year, following a personal disagreement outside of work, a fellow employee began sharing with numerous coworkers an explicit video of the alleged victim.

She claims the harassment was reported to the supervisor, who, according to the lawsuit, told the victim to just ignore it. Later, the supervisor reassigned her to another position while promoting the alleged harasser.

The lawsuit adds that around that time, the situation peaked when another employee threatened the female worker with a gun.

She said she took a short-term disability leave around June 1, and upon returning, was told a month later she was being fired in connection with the firearm incident.

The lawsuit said the real reason she was fired was “on the basis of her sex and in retaliation for reporting the sexual harassment.”

The lawsuit’s three counts allege Civil Rights Act violations for sexual harassment, sex-based discrimination and retaliation.

The former worker is seeking unspecified damages.

A Rivian spokesperson said the company does not comment on pending litigation.

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