Ex-‘Doctor Odyssey’ Crew Alleges Sexual Harassment on Set: Lawsuit Filed Against Disney

Former crew members of Doctor Odyssey have filed a lawsuit against 20th Television and Disney, claiming sexual harassment and retaliation occurred on set. The plaintiffs, Caroline Mack, Alicia Haverland, and Ava Steinbrenner, allege they faced an “unchecked campaign of sexual harassment” from their supervisor, Tyler Patton. They report that after raising their concerns, they were fired.

Patton’s history raises serious concerns. He was previously involved in another lawsuit where a former employee accused him of groping and making inappropriate comments. During filming of Doctor Odyssey, the plaintiffs describe a toxic environment where Patton and his male coworkers made sexual remarks to provoke discomfort among female crew members.

For instance, one allegedly crude comment from Patton made light of a female crew member’s name. He would often respond to innocent statements with suggestive jokes, contributing to a culture of disrespect. Moreover, he reportedly sent explicit texts and engaged in unwanted physical contact with the women on set.

In a shocking incident, Patton sent links to his colleagues that led to inappropriate content. When confronted, he allegedly downplayed the situation by saying, “If I wasn’t fucking the boss, I’d be fired.” This disregard for workplace norms highlights troubling behavior that the lawsuit alleges was known to higher-ups.

Mack took her complaints to human resources and her union, who confirmed that both 20th Century and Disney were aware of the harassment issues. Interestingly, after the complaints went public, Tyler Patton was let go. However, his wife, Tammie Patton, allegedly retaliated against the plaintiffs by assigning them menial tasks and making threats.

Instead of addressing the issues, the defendants reportedly replaced the entire props department to avoid further complications related to misconduct. The plaintiffs say this has led to them being blacklisted from any future work with 20th and Disney.

The lawsuit accuses the company of multiple grievances, including sexual harassment and retaliation, while seeking damages. As of now, 20th and Disney have not made any public comments regarding the case.

The situation draws attention to broader issues of workplace harassment in the entertainment industry. According to a 2021 survey by the Actors’ Equity Association, about 68% of stage managers reported witnessing harassment in their workplaces. This underlines how pervasive such behavior can be, with many feeling unsafe to report it.

As the industry demands reforms, this lawsuit could ignite discussions about better policies to protect workers. Survivor stories continue to pave the way for necessary change, reminding us that accountability is essential in creating a safe work environment for everyone.

Source link

Doctor Odyssey