Raymond James faces sexual harassment charges

A Raymond James Financial Inc. employee this week filed a formal complaint against the St. Petersburg-based financial services firm, after what she describes as a series of sexual harassment and retaliatory incidents.

Kathryn Wyant, 24, says the firm tolerates a hostile and offensive work environment where sexual harassment and discrimination — along with retaliation — occur, according to documents submitted to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Specifically, she said during a press conference at the offices of public relations firm Hill + Knowlton Strategies on Wednesday that she was subjected to a “college fraternity atmosphere” where alcoholic drinking games and lewd language during work hours were rampant following her May promotion to a position as a Succession Planning and Acquisition Consultant.