25-4:Sexual Harassment by Coworker

Billie Bradford worked for the Kentucky Department of Community Based Services (DCBS). One of Bradford's co-workers, Lisa Stander, routinely engaged in extreme sexual behavior (such as touching herself and making crude comments) in Bradford's presence. Bradford and others regularly complained about Stander's con- duct to their supervisor, Angie Taylor. Rather than resolve the problem, Taylor nonchalantly told Stander to stop, encouraged Bradford to talk to Stander, and suggested that Stander was just having fun. Assuming that Bradford was subjected to a hostile-work environment, could DCBS be liable? Why or why not? [Bradford v. Department of Community Based Services, 2012 WL 360032 (E.D.Ky. 2012)] (See Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.)