Lilly Rep’s ‘Hot Body’ Gets Boss In Hot Water
7 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // June 6th, 2008 // 10:02 am
Are some Lilly employees using too much Cialis? Tricia Galecke, a former gymnast who was once offered a job as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, is suing the drugmaker because her former boss and sales partner repeatedly subjected her to come-ons about her “hot body” and “stripper heels,” The New York Daily News reports.
The 36-year-old Manhattan woman contends she was fired in March after nearly 11 years as a sales rep because she complained about unwanted attention from supervisor, Michael Polkowitz, and sales partner, Michael Lyons, the paper writes. Here is the lawsuit.
Galacke filed a sex harassment suit in which she accused her former boss of doctoring an expense account from a client dinner at a Manhattan restaurant to get her canned. She also alleged that, after she was axed, Lilly employees anonymously trashed her as a “slut” on CafePharma.
Galecke joined Lilly in 1997 and annually received promotions and pay bumps due to her “uniformly excellent” job performance, the suit says. But other employees allegedly went online to accuse her of “sleeping with whomever she needed to in order to advance her career.” Galecke also accused her boss of staring at her legs and making suggestive cracks about her “hot heels.”
A Lilly spokeswoman says the drugmaker is reviewing the complaint filed in New York State Supreme Court. “We have very clear policies about respect that prohibit [this] type of conduct in the workplace,” she tells the News.
BP Watch
Who knows the real story, but this come-on behavior is commonplace by sales management in the pharma industry. Also is the scenario that if the employee complains, they are framed and canned. Disgusting behavior in a disgusting industry.
Paul
Every industry, and also government at every level. Don’t forget universities and hospitals too.
rita gurry
I know both Michael Polkowitz and Michael Lyons professionally and personally, Polkowitz for the past 15 years, I have never knowneither one of them to be anything but highly professional and totally respectful to the female population, I also know Tricia in the same capacity and I will say this, do not believe all that is written, hopefully the truth will prevail.
Susan
I know Michael Polkowitz and Michael Lyons. This is absolute rubbish. Nothing more than a disgruntled employee lashing out. What a waste of time and energy. Michael Polkowitz is exacting, demanding and a wonderful leader. Guess Tricia couldn’t cut the muster. Shame on Tricia for bringing this type of publicity to our industry that has born too much scrutiny already.
william t beyha
the blonde test.
The Lancet p.106 (jan. 14, 1978)
patient in article mrs j edward spike jr
patient’s personal physician mark altschule md of harvard
paper shows how to treat the cause of causalgia/reflex sympathetic dystrophy first described in the medical literature of the us civil war.
dr eugene j ratner’s us federal personnel file is publicly available from john malone at 312-440-2500 x 2878
tricia galecke’s future is bright if she passes the blonde test and realizes that the us once had the ability to treat the cause of idiopathic pain but can’t do so now.
the patient records from fort hamilton serve as further anecdotal evidence.
mrs j edward spike jr was run through every hospital in boston without success. if you don’t know who altschule was call harvard’s countway library and ask for his bio
when your dead your name goes on a building to gather dust
tricia if you are looking for useful if not immediately renumerative work post your attorney’s number on the web where it is easily
found
anonymous
Also, don’t believe every word from the comments above. Tricia Galecke was committed to Lilly for the past 11 years. Yes, that’s right ELEVEN YEARS. Do you really think that after this dedication she would make false accusations just because she’s “disgruntled”? Besides Michael Polkowitz’s harassing reputation is well known by those who have worked for him. She is being unjustly vilified only because she was brave enough to speak out.
neil
Tricia Galecke is/was one of the most dedicated emloyees at LIllY - she has sacrificed her life to relocate depending on LIlly’s needs and made the company hundreds of millions of $$$’s !! Anyone who really know her - knows that she is diligent,thoughtful, caring and not a opportunist!! She has always been above & beyond the competition! TRUTH will PREVAIL! it is about time!!! the tip of the iceberg….people are already coming forward!!!!!!