Former KYW-A Exec Claims Sexual Harassment

Shelley Kanther

CBS RADIO News KYW-A/PHILADELPHIA is being sued by a former female executive who alleges that she was a victim of sexual innuendo and inappropriate behavior at the station, PHILLYMAG.COM  reports. SHELLEY KANTHER, 36, has filed a federal suit against KYW owner CBS RADIO, alleging that she endured "severe and pervasive" sexual harassment while employed as Dir./Marketing Communications from APRIL 2009 until AUGUST 2010, when she says she was illegally terminated in retaliation for her complaints about the station’s work environment.

In the suit, KANTHER asserts that male members of the KYW sales staff engaged in such locker room behavior as guessing the bra sizes of women in the office, slapping KANTHER’s rear, asking whether she was a 'natural redhead," commenting on her calves, and referring to her as "cutey" and "baby." She maintains that station management didn’t just allow or condone this behavior, but actually contributed to it.

In addition, KANTHER asserts that she was also severely underpaid. Her starting salary of $58,000 was three to six times less than what the station’s other department heads were paid (all of whom were male), and that this violated the Equal Pay Act.

CBS commented to ALL ACCESS, "CBS RADIO believes Ms. KANTHER's claims are without merit.  The COMPANY intends to vigorously defend this action and will retain counsel to protect its interests as well as its employees named in the action."

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