Connie Dias v. Sky Chefs, Inc.

Sky Chefs, a Delaware corporation, appeals from a jury verdict finding it liable for the actions of its Portland, Oregon general manager, Mr. Tony Nathalia. The jury found that Nathalia sexually harassed women employees and intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon and ultimately wrongfully discharged a woman employee, Ms. Connie Dias, for resisting that sexual harassment. We affirm.

I.

Sky Chefs, Inc. is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Dallas, Texas. It maintains a number of regional facilities in the United States, each of which is directed locally by a General Manager. In Portland, the General Manager is responsible for “general supervision” of approximately 230 employees. The company supplies meals to airlines.

Dias began work at the Portland, Oregon facility in April 1985 as a clerical worker in the billing department. In September 1986 she was promoted while working under General Manager Jim Durham. Later that month, Nathalia replaced Durham as the Portland General Manager. Nathalia had been transferred by the company from its San Diego facility, where he had also served as General Manager.

According to Dias and other witnesses at trial, Nathalia upon…