Executive assistant claims boss made her watch 'chick flicks'

A former Bates College employee has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Lewiston, Maine-based institution, saying she — unlike her male coworkers — was expected to jog, take tennis lessons and watch “chick flicks” with her boss.

Sarah Hulbert, 59, who worked for Bates President A. Clayton Spencer as an executive assistant during summer 2012, wrote in her complaint that she was treated differently by Ms. Spencer than her male co-workers were, according to media reports.

The lawsuit Ms. Hulbert filed with the Androscoggin County Superior Court on March 6, states that “the president of Bates College expected plaintiff, as a condition of her employment, to engage in activities with the president, such as running, tennis lessons and watching 'chick flicks,' which the president did not require of similarly situated male employees,” according to reports.

View the Best Off Beat stories from March.

A Bates spokesman told the Lewiston-Auburn Sun Journal that the college denies Ms. Hulbert's claims and expects to fight them.

Ms. Hulbert, who said she was terminated on July 11, 2012, is seeking back pay, reinstatement or front pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney's fees and other costs and interests, reports state.

It wasn't disclosed which chick flicks Ms. Hulbert was allegedly asked to watch with Ms. Spencer.