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FRESNO, Calif., Apr 26, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A California woman is in Fresno Superior Court, alleging she was spanked in a company ritual during her five months as an alarm systems salesperson.
Janet Orlando filed a civil suit against Fresno-based Alarm One Inc., claiming discrimination, assault, battery and emotional distress.
The Sacramento Bee reports the claim stems from a competitive tradition between sales departments at Alarm One, including the losing department getting punishments like three swats on the rear with a competitors sign.
Fifty-three year-old Orlando quit her field supervisor job in February of 2003, five months after starting.
She said she was too embarrassed to continue since co-workers witnessed the spanking and yelled lewd comments, something common for other people in the company, the court heard this week.
Alarm One attorney Katherine Hart said the ritual was more like fraternity hazing than an intentionally harmful act.
A jury of six men and six women are expected to begin deliberations next week.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
