Schlumberger accused of sexual harassment
EB resident pursues EEOC claim, alleging harassment, retaliation and termination
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com

A former Schlumberger employee has filed discrimination charges with the EEOC against her one-time employer, alleging she was sexually harassed for more than one year before being unjustly fired.

Cassandra "Casey" Rabius, an East Bernard resident, alleges a supervisor in Schlumberger's Wharton office made repeated unwanted sexual advances towards her through conversations, e-mail, phone calls and unplanned visits to her residence between February of 2006 and July of this year. Rabius claims the harassment escalated to physical contact.

She further claims she was retaliated against once she reported the incidents to her superiors, spawning an internal investigation.

Rabius was fired on Sept. 21.

Her attorney, Okon Usoro of Houston, said the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is currently reviewing the allegations and has 180 days to issue a determination.

"The EEOC will investigate and issue a 'right to sue.' Then she (Rabius) will file a lawsuit," he said.

Usoro is involved in two other discrimination cases against Schlumberger. Two female employees in the Houston office filed lawsuits against the oilfield services provider in August, alleging racial and sexual discrimination.

Rabius's allegations - which concern employees of the Wharton office, 1005 Nelson Lane - were investigated internally by Schlumberger and were determined to be unfounded, company officials told the Journal-Spectator in a written statement.

"Schlumberger takes very seriously any complaint of harassment or discrimination. After conducting a thorough investigation into the issues raised by Ms. Rabius, no substantiation has been determined. Schlumberger takes considerable steps to ensure that employment-related matters are handled confidentially and with respect for the sensitive issues being addressed. It is for this reason that we refrain from discussing any details with external parties."

Rabius alleges the harassment began shortly after she was hired by the company on Feb. 2, 2006.

She says the first incident occurred while attending a training seminar in Oklahoma City, Okla.

According to Rabius, a man who was attending the seminar - and later hired as one of her immediate managers - called her hotel room after hours and made sexual advances towards her.

In June of 2006, Rabius claims she began receiving sexually explicit e-mails from this supervisor and did not reply.

Later that month, the supervisor allegedly made an unannounced visit to Rabius' home.

The incidents continued, Rabius alleges, including during working hours. At one point Rabius said she pushed the supervisor out of the way.

"He said, 'You know that kind of behavior won't get you a bonus,'" Rabius alleges.

Rabius claims other employees witnessed some of the behavior and were privy to a portion of the derogatory comments made towards her.

She said the harassment included physical contact on June 22, 2006, during the Wharton County Freedom Fest.

Rabius reported the incidents to the office manager and eventually filed a sexual harassment statement with Schlumberger's Corporate Human Resources department.

She said derogatory notes were left in her office and other employees threatened her to "not go through with this harassment" claim, she said.

The threats became so pronounced Rabius claims that she began to fear for her personal safety.

In August of this year, she says she ordered - with company dollars - a clock with a hidden camera in it. She says she never actually installed the device in her office, though.

The office manager later questioned that purchase, saying it was against company policy. Rabius says she was suspended for three days. She was summarily fired.

A termination of employment letter - sent to Rabius on Sept. 21 - says the grounds for the firing are "misconduct-insubordination."

Rabius is currently trying to find another job. She is a single mother who is raising a 6-yearold daughter.

"Now I'm out of a job just because I stood up and did the right thing," she said.