Muriel E. Kauffman v. Sidereal Corporation, an Oregon Corporation

Appellee Kauffman brought this action against her former employer, Sidereal Corporation (Sidereal), a small computerized communications manufacturer. The only claim remaining at trial alleged unlawful retaliation by the employer in response to Kauffman’s filing of a sex discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The matter was tried to the court and a judgment was rendered for Kauffman. In awarding damages, the trial court held that unemployment benefits should not be deducted from the backpay award. Kauffman received a judgment of $9,667.70 for backpay and $6,526.00 in attorneys fees. We affirm.

I.

FACTS

Kauffman was hired as a prototyper by Sidereal in July of 1977. Her direct supervisor was a Mr. Kilgore. During the first year of her employment she received several periodic pay increases and favorable performance reviews. However, in August of 1978, shortly after Kauffman had complained in writing to management of discriminatory treatment by Kilgore, Kilgore placed a notation in Kauffman’s file that her attitude needed improvement. On September 22, 1978, Kauffman notified Sidereal that she was filing a discrimination complaint with the…