PITTSBURGH — An employee at a spa in Pittsburgh said on Monday that she was fired her first day on the job after she refused to allow her co-workers to perform a Brazilian bikini wax on her.
Jennifer Finley told Channel 11 that she has filed a federal lawsuit against the European Wax Center on McKnight Road, accusing them of sexual harassment, wrongful termination, gender discrimination and retaliation after she refused to let co-workers give her a Brazilian bikini wax as part of a mandatory training exercise.
“I was surprised. I was shocked,” said Finley. “I felt it was wrong. It was humiliating. It was embarrassing, and on top of everything, I got fired because I would not receive a Brazilian wax from my co-workers.”
Finley said she knew she would have to perform that type of bikini waxes on clients, but she did not want anyone doing it to her.
“[My boss] basically said, ‘So you are not going to receive this?’ and I said, ‘No,’ and that was it. He fired me and that was really our whole conversation. He wasn't sympathetic,” said Finley.
When Channel 11’s Rick Earle went to the European Wax Center Monday afternoon, a woman said the owner had no comment.
Finley said she hopes this lawsuit will send a strong message.
“I just don't want women to have to go through this and feel uncomfortable,” said Finley.
WPXI
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