Key Details:
- On Tuesday, a former NAR employee filed an amended complaint against the organization, alleging sexual harassment and racial discrimination.
- Roshani Sheth claims she was fired in 2019 shortly after reporting workplace harassment.
- The federal lawsuit follows Sheth’s 2020 charge with the Illinois Department of Human Rights.
Roshani Sheth, a former employee of the National Association of Realtors (NAR.), filed an amended complaint against the organization, which was first reported by The New York Times. The federal lawsuit accuses the organization of sexual harassment, racial discrimination and retaliation.
Sheth, who worked at NAR’s Chicago headquarters for five years, claims she was fired in 2019 after reporting inappropriate behavior by male supervisors.
The amended complaint, filed on September 10, follows Sheth’s 2020 charge with the Illinois Department of Human Rights and a lawsuit first filed in June of this year.
Allegations and Harassment Claims
Sheth’s lawsuit describes how male leaders at NAR headquarters frequently made inappropriate comments about Sheth’s physical appearance and sex life. It also details racial discrimination.
In 2019, Sheth reported sexual advances by Matthew Embrescia, president of Second Generation, a partner of NAR, to human resources. Shortly after, she was placed on a performance improvement plan despite having recently received a “glowing performance review.”
She was fired on October 2, 2019, after returning from a medical leave. Her lawsuit also accuses Ken Burlington, then NAR’s vice president, of using derogatory language toward women and denying her a promised promotion due to her conflicts with Embrescia.
Background and Legal Proceedings
This lawsuit comes a year after sexual harassment allegations surfaced against former NAR president Kenny Parcell, prompting his resignation. Although Sheth was included in the New York Times exposé of NAR’s workplace culture, Parcell was not named in Sheth’s lawsuit.
In June 2019, Sheth met with Donna Gland, who was NAR’s head of human resources at the time. Gland, along with former CEO Bob Goldberg, announced their retirements before the end of 2023.
According to the complaint, Gland referred to her as an “immigrant” multiple times, despite Sheth being born in Chicago. Following her termination, Sheth struggled to secure new employment and claims that former colleagues informed her that Burlington had called her a “liar” and suggested she had “given H.R. a hard time.”
Sheth’s case was taken up by the Illinois Department of Human Rights in February 2021, and in the same month, she received threatening messages. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued her a “right to sue” letter in March 2024.
NAR’s Response
“The National Association of Realtors is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace,” a spokesperson for NAR said in the statement. “We don’t comment on matters of employment.”
Stay tuned for more.
