Electrician files sexual harassment lawsuit against former employer and supervisor

Editor's note: This report contains descriptions and quotes of sexual harassment allegations. For more information, see ourEditorial Standards。

Quick Facts

• A former employee of a major nuclear construction project filed a lawsuit in federal court in June, alleging repeated harassment by her former supervisor and a Bechtel-affiliated company.
• The lawsuit was filed by Madalyn Jennings, the only female apprentice electrician at the Hanford Vitrification Plant in Richland, Washington. The complaint alleges a pattern of ongoing misconduct by general foreman George "Buster" Elgin.
• Court documents show that Elgin frequently commented on Jennings' appearance, asked her to send personal photos, sent text messages unrelated to work, and exposed his chest to her on multiple occasions. Allegedly, Elgin's harassment escalated over time, and he retaliated against Jennings after she reported it, ultimately leading to her termination.

In-Depth Analysis

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, naming Elgin, Waste Treatment Completion Co., and Bechtel National—the government services division of Bechtel Corporation, headquartered in Reston, Virginia, as defendants.

Staci West, a spokesperson for Bechtel and WTPP, said in an email statement: "Bechtel does not tolerate harassment, intimidation, or discrimination of any kind and is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful work environment. Given that this matter is in litigation, it is not appropriate to comment further at this time."

According to the complaint, Jennings' husband, Gary Jennings, also worked as an electrician at the plant and was also harassed by Elgin.

Additionally, court documents show that Elgin repeatedly claimed on site that he was "bulletproof" and that he was "untouchable" due to his family's five-generation legacy as skilled tradesmen at the Hanford site. The lawsuit notes that IBEW Local 112 union hall is named "Elgin Hall" after his grandfather. The complaint also describes Madalyn Jennings being harassed by Elgin's father, Skip Elgin, who worked in the site's material tent, where Madalyn had been assigned.

According to the complaint, after Madalyn Jennings fractured a finger, she was unable to perform her assigned duties and did not receive reasonable work accommodations. She left her job in September 2024, and Gary Jennings left later that same month due to ongoing harassment.

The lawsuit seeks various damages, including lost wages, emotional distress, attorney fees, and other damages.

The construction industry has long faced issues of harassment and discrimination. In 2023, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission criticized the construction industry for hostility toward "men of color and women of all races and ethnicities." Additionally, a 2021 report by the Institute for Women's Policy Research found that 26.5% of women in construction said they "always or often feel harassed because of their gender."

Waste Treatment Completion Co. is an entity formed by Bechtel and AECOM in 2017 to complete construction of the nuclear waste treatment facility at the Hanford site and lead its startup and commissioning. The project aims to convert 56 million gallons of radioactive waste into safely disposable glass logs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. AECOM sold its management services business (which included the division related to the Hanford project) in 2020 and is no longer involved in the project.