Worker sues Rivian, claims company fired her for reporting sexual harassment

Gant did what employers routinely tell workers to do — she reported it. The filing says she raised the matter with her Team Lead, her Group Leader, her Manager, and an Employee Relations Manager, all on the same day the most serious incident occurred. 

What allegedly happened next is where the case becomes particularly instructive for HR professionals. 

Rivian temporarily separated Gant and Willis for roughly four days, according to the lawsuit, but then moved Willis back onto her production line. The filing also alleges that Rivian directed Gant — not Willis — to complete a sexual harassment training course. The alleged harasser, according to the court papers, was not asked to do the same. 

Then came the survey. On or about January 11, 2023, Gant completed an internal employee satisfaction survey in which she expressed frustration about feeling unprotected against sexual harassment at work. Two days later, Rivian terminated her. 

The company’s stated reason, according to the filing, was that Gant had repeated attendance issues and a “no call, no show” on January 13, 2023. Gant disputes this. She says she called Rivian’s attendance line at 4:30 AM — well over an hour before her shift began at 6:10 AM — and had enough Personal Time Off banked to cover the absence.