NORTHAMPTON — A former University of Massachusetts Amherst maintenance supervisor, as well as the university, may have to shell out a combined $157,000 after a jury Tuesday decided the man sexually harassed a female colleague in February 2012.
In May 2013, Isheika Hackett sued her former boss, John C. Reilly II, and UMass Amherst for allegedly perpetuating a hostile work environment. According to the complaint, Reilly told Hackett she’d face disciplinary action if she didn’t have sex with him in a supply closet where he also touched her inappropriately.
On multiple prior occasions, the complaint reads, Reilly propositioned Hackett, and each time she refused.
Reilly was subsequently fired from his job.
A jury of seven men and seven women deliberated for about three days before finding Tuesday that Reilly was responsible for two counts of sexual harassment and that UMass, on both counts, knew — or should have known — about the hostile work environment and did not take appropriate steps to resolve the situation.
Hackett, who no longer works for UMass, wiped tears from her eyes as the clerk recorded the jury’s verdict.
Ultimately, the university is responsible for paying damages totaling $118,800, while Reilly is responsible for $38,200.
“We’re very happy with the jury,” Hackett’s counsel, John Martin, said after court, adding that there is no sure way to assess whether the damages award is sufficient when someone endures what Hackett did.