ÿWPC¸$ ·âxþätã ¸Ï4ÊlÙ®[‘–ñ.ì"#¤F¡Ú @>G '³¬)4ü±Ê8lQô7¬à ¶Á>¤k®6ŸXÐ7jæ*ÐHéð‹¨-+d˜VY²ËäTP2šD¼¼ 2í÷õà¡Õ˜mú–¢y‘:_wÄQmtCîÄ:‡Ð7(Œ'ýÛóK>N-p M¢¿i†ïÒô€N«÷>͈£óvú°ýK½`(ÕêÈ#4‘R¨À"¤’ 2yEp3Îåy•¥¥Hrôꬖô®Ý”U Ñ'ƒîHî›´àÔB™\í¢”?M-@-â––eùYÙmÃ爩´_ÄWŒË¢jöL„é½ôT_©ßçÈ™©Ó,*¡a×åÝ©d<òç˜òOüu°‘û' þœn(Sà\ŸÌ=v[<+5Çd,DtÁ ]1ZBê –†Âxµe¼Ô¦Úõ´;pË?O…N>󀥂¤çK K«xà°*# LUNW %¥ 0(«UFÓw@4YmUP|UFÌ  0 l 0 DˆUFÌ ' UFD WŠ UFáA'UFhÍ ®UF{¬Áºm UF'!UFm!m!m!~³! B1#N#UFV#V#V#V#V#V#V#Öœ#UFr$˜HP LaserJet 4HPPCL5MSØ,,,,,Ø,0nLÐ(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡<4šÛ 9Z ‹.Courier New Regular ûDüýDþÿD  D D  Dê|^%3|x &@FÐZ ‹8CaslonOpnface BT Regular<:ÀÕ 9Z ‹.Courier New Regular Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ€ô¹ÆôXXÔÔ€ôÒ¦ôôô¹ÆÔSteele€also€sued€Alpha€Medical,€Inc.;€however,€she€subsequently€took€aÐ P  Ðvoluntary€nonsuit€as€to€that€entity.((3üÝ$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó<4šÛ 9Z ‹.Courier New Regular Ñ  Ñ Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ€XYFXXXÔÔ€ôÒ¦ôXXYFÔThe€trial€court€granted€summary€judgment€in€favor€of€Superior€onÐ P  ÐSteeleððs€claims€of€outrageous€conduct,€intentional€infliction€of€emotionalÏdistress,€and€negligent€hiring€and€retention€of€employees.€€The€court€alsoÏdirected€a€verdict€in€favor€of€Superior€on€Steeleððs€retaliatory€dischargeÏclaim.€€The€plaintiff€does€not€raise€any€issues€as€to€these€actions€of€theÏtrial€court.<4šÛ 9Z ‹.Courier New Regular MÝ ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ€XYFXXXÔÔ€ôÒ¦ôXXYFÔIn€so€holding,€the€Court€in€effect€drew€a€distinction€between€hostileÐ P  Ðenvironment€claims€based€upon€òòsupervisoróó€harassment,€and€those€arising€fromÐ  ° Ðòòco„workeróó€harassment.€€In€enumerating€the€elements€of€the€latter€type€ofÐ ¼ l Ðclaim,€the€Court€noted€that,€in€addition€to€the€four€elements€listed€above,Ïthe€plaintiff€must€prove€that€ð ðthe€employer€òòknew€or€should€have€knownóó€of€theÐ ( Ø Ðharassment€and€failed€to€respond€with€prompt€and€appropriate€correctiveÏaction.ðð€€ò òòòCarróóó ó,€955€S.W.2d€at€836€(emphasis€added)(citing€òòò òSpicer€v.€BearmanÐ ”D ÐBottling€Co.ó óóó,€937€S.W.2d€884,€888€(Tenn.€1996)).<4šÛ 9Z ‹.Courier New Regular 7Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ€XYFXXXÔÔ€ôÒ¦ôXXYFÔThe€Court€did€acknowledge€that€several€state€anti„discriminationÐ P  Ðstatutes€have€been€construed€to€provide€for€individual€liability.€€ò òòòCarróóó ó,€955Ð  ° ÐS.W.2d€at€837„38€(citing€ò òòòSt.€Peter€v.€Ampak„Division€of€Gatewood€Products,Ð ¼ l ÐInc.óóó ó,€199€W.Va.€365,€484€S.E.2d€481€(1997);€ò òòòSchram€v.€Albertsonððs,€Inc.óóó ó€146Ð x ( ÐOr.App.€45,€934€P.2d€483€(1997);€òòò òTyson€v.€CIGNA€Corp.ó óóó,€918€F.Supp.€836€(D.N.J.Ð 4 ä Ð1996);€òòò òConway€v.€City€of€Hartfordó óóó,€9€N.D.L.R.€P€167,€1997€WL€78585Ð ð   Ð(Conn.Super.Ct.€1997);€ò òòòJohnson€v.€Canadian€Pacific€Ltd.ó óóó,€522€N.W.2d€386Ð ¬\ Ð(Minn.Ct.App.€1994),€òòrevððd€on€other€groundsóó,€536€N.W.2d€319€(Minn.€1995);€andÐ h Ðò òòòDuPuis€v.Con„Test,€Inc.óóó ó,€4€Mass.€L.€Rptr.€163,€1995€WL€809975€(Mass.Super.Ct.Ð $Ô Ð1995)).<4šÛ 9Z ‹.Courier New Regular Ã Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ€XYFXXXÔÔ€ôÒ¦ôXXYFÔWe€are€aware€of€the€United€States€Supreme€Courtððs€recent€decisions€inÐ P  Ðò òòòBurlington€Industries,€Inc.€v.€Ellerthóóó ó,€___€U.S.€___,€118€S.Ct.€2257,€141Ð  ° ÐL.Ed.2d€633€(1998)€and€ò òòòFaragher€v.€City€of€Boca€Ratonóóó ó,€___€U.S.€___,€118€S.Ct.Ð ¼ l Ð2275,€141€L.Ed.2d€662€(1998).€€In€those€cases,€the€Supreme€Court€held€thatÌÌà  àà8 ` à[a]n€employer€is€subject€to€vicarious€liability€to€aÏvictimized€employee€for€an€actionable€hostile€environmentÏcreated€by€a€supervisor€with€immediate€(or€successivelyÏhigher)€authority€over€the€employee.€€When€no€tangibleÏemployment€action€is€taken,€a€defending€employer€may€raiseÏan€affirmative€defense€to€liability€or€damages,€subject€toÏproof€by€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence,€see€Fed.€Rule€Civ.ÏProc.€8(c).€€The€defense€comprises€two€necessary€elements:€Ï(a)€that€the€employer€exercised€reasonable€care€to€preventÏand€correct€promptly€any€sexually€harassing€behavior,€andÏ(b)€that€the€plaintiff€employee€unreasonably€failed€to€takeÏadvantage€of€any€preventive€or€corrective€opportunitiesÏprovided€by€the€employer€or€to€avoid€harm€otherwise.Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌò òòòBurlington€Industries,€óóó ó118€S.Ct€at€2270;€ò òòòFaragheróóó ó,€118€S.Ct.€at€2292„93.€€InÐ x(  Ðthese€decisions,€the€Supreme€Court€proceeded€through€a€detailed€analysis€ofÏthe€circumstances€under€which€an€employerððs€conduct€may€lead€to€liability€inÏhostile€environment€cases.€€It€is€true€that€ò òòòBurlingtonóóó ó€and€òòò òFaragheró óóó€set€forthÐ ”D Ðthe€two€above„quoted€elements€as€an€affirmative€defense€that€may€beÏestablished€by€the€employer;€òòò òCarró óóó,€on€the€other€hand,€focuses€on€whether€theÐ ° Ðsupervisorððs€actions€were€foreseeable€or€fell€within€the€scope€of€employment,Ïas€well€as€on€the€sufficiency€of€the€employerððs€response.€€òòò òCarró óóó,€955€S.W.2d€atÐ l Ð838.€€However,€we€do€not€believe€that€the€expanded€analysis€of€ò òòòBurlington€óóó óandò òòòÐ (Ø ÐFaragher€ó óóóimpacts€our€review€of€the€instant€case€under€the€ò òòòCarr€óóó ódecision.€€OurÐ ä” ÐSupreme€Court€has€yet€to€address€the€impact€of€ò òòòBurlington€óóó óand€ò òòòFaragheró óóó;€weÐ  P Ðtherefore€proceed€under€the€framework€set€forth€in€òòò òCarr.ó óóó<4šÛ 9Z ‹.Courier New Regular ¢Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ€ô¹ÆôXXÔÔ€ôÒ¦ôôô¹ÆÔIn€ò òòòReinholdóóó ó,€the€plaintiff€was€allegedly€subjected€to€various€forms€ofÐ P  Ðharassment,€including€threats€of€suspension€and€the€assignment€of€extra€workÏwhen€she€refused€her€supervisorððs€advances;€however,€the€Court€noted€that€theÏplaintiff€did€not€allege,€nor€did€the€evidence€show,€that€she€had€suffered€ð ðaÏððtangible€employment€actionðð€sufficient€to€give€rise€to€the€automaticÏimputation€of€liability€against€[the€defendants]€for€[the€supervisorððs]Ïactions.ðð€€ò òòòReinholdóóó ó,€151€F.3d€at€175. °Ý ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ€XYFXXXÔÔ€ôÒ¦ôXXYFÔThe€jury€responded€to€specific€interrogatories.<Ú5 9Z ‹.Courier New Regular<¾½Q 9Z ‹.Courier New Regular tÝ ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ€!XYFXXXÔÔ€!ôÒ¦ôX!XYFÔIn€view€of€our€resolution€of€this€issue€in€Steeleððs€favor,€we€do€notÐ P  Ðfind€it€necessary€to€reach€her€separate€issue€that€Superior€failed€to€preserveÏthe€question€of€the€adequacy€of€the€proof€in€its€motion€for€a€new€trial. d<¾½Q 9Z ‹.Courier New Regular ÌÝ ƒ üÝ$Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ€)XYFXXXÔÔ€)ôÒ¦ôX)XYFÔòòSee€ò òPerkins€v.€Sadleró óóó,€826€S.W.2d€439,€442„43€(Tenn.App.€1991).<4šÛ 9Z ‹.Courier New RegularÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÑP °ÑÑ7€_XXdìXXdì7ÑÑTR[  AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÔ€XYFXXXÔÑ€P¸Ñ›à@ˆˆìàIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALSˆÐ P  ÐÌà@$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEˆÌÌÌÌDEBORAH€H.€STEELE,à  àà h àà À à€€€)€C/A€NO.€03A01„9709„CH„00395Ð Hø Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€€€)Ìà  àPlaintiff„Appellee,à h àà À à€€€)Ð ð  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€€€)Ìà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€€€)Ìv.à  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€€€)Ð l  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€€€)€APPEAL€AS€OF€RIGHT€FROM€THEÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€€€)€HAMILTON€COUNTY€CHANCERY€COURTÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€€€)Ìà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€€€)ÌSUPERIOR€HOME€HEALTH€CARE€OFà À à€€€)Ð @  ÐCHATTANOOGA,€INC.,€andà h àà À à€€€)Ð d ÐDAVID€TWOMBLEY,€individually,à À à€€€)Ð 8è Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à€€€)€HONORABLE€R.€VANN€OWENS,Ìà  àDefendants„Appellants.à À à€€€)€CHANCELLORÐ à ÐÌÌÌÌÌFor€Appellant€Superior€Homeà À àà  àFor€AppelleeР؈ ÐHealth€Care€of€Chattanooga,€Inc.Ìà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àGRACE€E.€DANIELLÌJ.€SCOTT€McDEARMANà  àà h àà À àà  àStarr€&€Daniell,€P.C.Ð T" ÐTONYA€K.€CAMMONà  àà h àà À àà  àChattanooga,€TennesseeÐ (#Ø ÐGrant,€Konvalinka€&€Ì€€Harrison,€P.C.ÌChattanooga,€TennesseeÌÌÌFor€Appellant€David€TwombleyÌÌJOHN€C.€HARRISONÌCYNTHIA€R.€FREEMONÌBaker,€Donelson,€Bearman€&Ì€€CaldwellÌChattanooga,€TennesseeÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà@¦¦$ìàÔ€ XjÕXXXYFÔÔ€  | X XjÕÔO€P€I€N€I€O€NÔ€  ì­   |ÔÔ€ XYFX  ì­ÔˆÐ Œ4<*3 ÐÌÌÌÌÌAFFIRMED€AND€REMANDEDà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àSusano,€J.Ð ð9 /9 ÐÑP¸ÑÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÓÓà  àà ` àThe€plaintiff,€Deborah€H.€Steele€(ð ðSteeleðð),€broughtÏthis€action€against€her€former€employer,€Superior€Home€HealthÏCare€of€Chattanooga,€Inc.€(ð ðSuperiorðð),€and€her€formerÏsupervisor,€David€Twombley€(ð ðTwombleyðð)׃ ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×,€alleging€that€she€wasÐ Hø Ðthe€victim€of,€among€other€things,€sexual€harassment,€outrageousÏconduct,€and€the€intentional€infliction€of€emotional€distress.€ÏAfter€various€other€claims€were€dismissed€by€the€trial€court׃ð×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×,Ð @ð  Ðthe€case€proceeded€to€trial€before€a€jury€on€Steeleððs€claim€ofÏsexual€harassment€against€both€Superior€and€Twombley€under€theÏTennessee€Human€Rights€Act,€T.C.A.€ðð€4„21„101,€òòet€seqóó.€(ð ðTHRAðð),Ð 8è Ðand€her€claim€of€outrageous€conduct€and€intentional€infliction€ofÏemotional€distress,€against€Twombley€alone.€€The€jury€found€inÏfavor€of€Steele€on€all€of€the€remaining€theories€of€recovery€andÏawarded€her€$1.2€million€in€compensatory€damages€and€$60,000€inÏpunitive€damages.€€The€trial€court€also€awarded€Steele€attorneyððsÏfees€and€œcosts€against€both€defendants.›€€After€Steele€accepted€aÏremittitur€that€eliminated€the€punitive€damages€award€and€reducedÏthe€compensatory€damages€award€to€$850,000,€both€Superior€andÏTwombley€appealed,€raising€in€substance€the€following€issues€forÏour€consideration:ÌÌÓÓà  àà8 ` à1.€€Did€the€trial€court€err€in€allowingÏinadmissible€hearsay€testimony€from€witnesses€whoÏdid€not€have€first„hand€knowledge€of€the€events€inÏquestion?Ð ` Ð ` Ð  Ðâ âÐ €00&. Ðà  àà8 ` à2.€€Did€Steeleððs€counsel€make€improper€andÏprejudicial€statements€during€closing€argument,Ïthus€warranting€a€new€trial?Ð ` Ð ` Ð  Ðâ âÌà  àà8 ` à3.€€Is€there€material€evidence€in€the€record€toÏsupport€the€juryððs€verdict?Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à4.€€Did€the€trial€court€err€in€submitting€to€theÏjury€Steeleððs€cause€of€action€against€TwombleyÏunder€the€THRA?Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à5.€€Did€the€trial€court€err€in€giving€the€jury€anÏinaccurate€charge,€thereby€prejudicing€its€verdictÏagainst€Twombley?Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à6.€€Did€the€trial€court€err€in€not€suggesting€aÏfurther€remittitur€of€the€juryððs€verdict?Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à7.€€Did€the€trial€court€err€in€awarding€attorneyððsÏfees€against€Twombley€under€the€THRA?Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÓÓÌà@tt)ìàI.ˆÌÌà  àà ` àSteele,€a€psychiatric€nurse,€was€hired€by€Superior€inÏlate€1991.€€She€was€originally€supervised€by€Linda€Nation.€ÏShortly€thereafter,€she€also€came€under€the€administrativeÏsupervision€of€Twombley,€who€had€been€hired€by€Superior€toÏdevelop€new€programs,€including€the€psychiatric€program€to€whichÏSteele€was€assigned.ÌÌà  àà ` àSteele€testified€that€she€began€having€problems€withÏTwombley€shortly€after€coming€under€his€supervision.€€She€statedÏthat€when€she€first€saw€Twombley,€he€told€her€that€he€knew€sheÏhad€a€reputation€for€having€been€involved€with€a€male€patient€„„Ïa€charge€that€Steele€denied.€€She€also€testified€that,€on€a€tripÏto€Athens,€Tennessee,€Twombley€became€upset€with€her€when€sheÏexpressed€concerns€about€the€amount€of€time€she€was€on€call,€andÏtold€her€that€if€she€quit€she€would€ð ðnever€work€anywhere€else€inÏthis€town€again.ðð€€Steele€also€stated€that,€while€returning€toÐ „94/9 ÐChattanooga€on€the€same€trip,€Twombley€made€an€extremelyÏoffensive€remark,€using€vulgar€terms€regarding€how€much€he€likedÏsex.€€The€next€day,€Steele€told€one€of€her€clinical€supervisors,ÏCindy€Ewton,€about€Twombleyððs€remarks,€and€a€meeting€wasÏeventually€arranged€among€Steele,€her€two€clinical€supervisorsÏ(Ewton€and€Nation),€and€Mary€Hogg,€Superiorððs€Executive€DirectorÏof€Nursing.€€Steele€testified€that€she€complained€to€Hogg€aboutÏTwombleyððs€behavior,€but€that€no€corrective€action€was€taken€as€aÏresult€of€the€meeting.€€Hogg€testified€that€she€met€withÏTwombley,€who€denied€making€any€inappropriate€statements,€andÏinformed€him€that€such€behavior€would€not€be€tolerated.ÌÌà  àà ` àOver€the€course€of€the€next€year,€according€to€Steele,ÏTwombley€continued€to€behave€inappropriately€toward€her€in€theÏworkplace.€€Specifically,€she€testified€that€he€would,€amongÏother€things,€stand€too€close€to€her;€kneel€at€her€desk€and€touchÏher€knee€to€ð ðsteady€himselfðð;€attempt€to€engage€her€in€sexualÏconversations;€ask€if€she€had€tried€various€sexual€acts;€makeÏcomments€such€as,€ð ðI€bet€your€boyfriend€has€a€lot€of€fun€in€bedÏwith€youðð;€talk€about€sexual€incidents€involving€his€formerÏpatients;€and€make€various€demeaning€comments€to€her,€such€asÏcalling€her€ð ðstupidðð€or€ð ðdumb.ðð€€Steele€also€testified€that€onÏone€occasion,€Twombley€showed€her€a€performance€evaluation€in€hisÏoffice,€turned€off€the€overhead€light,€and€gave€her€a€rose.€€SheÏstated€that€he€would€frequently€ask€her€to€go€hiking,€or€to€goÏout€for€coffee€or€dinner,€and€that€he€would€get€angry€when€sheÏdeclined€his€invitations.€€Steele€testified€that€on€one€occasionÏafter€she€had€told€Twombley€that€the€only€relationship€she€wantedÏwith€him€was€a€professional€one,€he€said,€ð ðno,€I€want€aÏcommitment€from€you.ððÐ X:0: Їà  àà ` àSteele€testified€that€she€continued€to€complain€aboutÏTwombleyððs€actions€to€her€immediate€clinical€supervisors,€EwtonÏand€Nation.€€She€testified€that€despite€her€complaints,€nothingÏwas€done€to€stop€Twombleyððs€behavior,€which€became€progressivelyÏmore€offensive.€€According€to€Steele,€Twombley€continued€to€makeÏstatements€such€as,€ð ðIððll€show€you€what€a€real€man€is€all€about,ððÏas€well€as€more€offensive€comments€to€the€effect€that€they€wouldÏnot€have€any€problems€between€them€if€she€would€give€in€to€hisÏadvances.€€Steele€further€testified€that€on€more€than€oneÏoccasion,€he€made€references€to€his€desire€to€engage€in€oral€sexÏwith€her.€€Steele€also€described€an€incident€in€which€TwombleyÏtold€her€he€had€written€a€letter€requesting€a€raise€for€her€andÏthen€said,€ð ð[y]ou€could€be€a€lot€of€fun€to€work€with.€€Iððm€a€lotÏof€fun€to€work€with...€a€woman€like€[you]€would€like€a€littleÏgentle€pain.ððÌÌà  àà ` àSteele€maintained€that,€on€more€than€one€occasion,€sheÏinvestigated€the€possibility€of€transferring€to€other€positions.€ÏShe€stated€that€she€was€twice€told€that€she€was€too€valuable€toÏthe€psychiatric€program,€and€that€on€another€occasion,€she€wasÏsimply€told€that€she€could€not€have€an€available€supervisoryÏposition.ÌÌà  àà ` àSteele€also€testified€that€Twombley€continued€to€behaveÏinappropriately€on€work„related€trips.€€She€stated€that€on€oneÏsuch€occasion,€Twombley€indicated€that€he€was€aroused€andÏattempted€to€place€her€hand€on€him.€€According€to€Steele,ÏTwombleyððs€harassment€on€these€trips€culminated€in€an€April,Ï1993,€trip€back€from€the€Dayton,€Tennessee€office,€when€TwombleyÏdrove€to€an€isolated€area€in€a€park,€forcibly€pulled€Steele€outÐ X:0: Ðof€the€car,€and€violently€raped€her.€€Steele€testified€thatÏfollowing€the€rape€she€did€not€see€a€doctor€or€go€to€the€police;Ïin€fact,€she€explained€that€she€essentially€ð ðblocked€outðð€theÏincident€and€did€not€come€to€terms€with€what€had€happened€untilÏapproximately€three€years€later,€after€she€had€undergoneÏextensive€therapy.€€This€testimony€was€substantiated€by€Dr.€DavidÏSolovey,€Steeleððs€psychologist,€who€testified€that€her€memory€ofÏthe€rape€had€been€suppressed€until€it€was€brought€to€the€surfaceÏin€the€course€of€her€therapy.ÌÌà  àà ` àSubsequent€to€the€events€of€April,€1993,€SteeleÏcontinued€to€work€under€Twombleyððs€supervision.€€She€testifiedÏthat€the€harassment€continued,€and€that€she€ultimately€arrangedÏanother€meeting€with€Mary€Hogg€in€August,€1993.€€At€that€time,ÏHogg€met€with€Steele€and€several€other€nurses€to€discussÏTwombleyððs€behavior.€€Twombley€resigned€on€August€16,€1993.€€HeÏoriginally€gave€two€weeksðð€notice.€€After€meeting€with€Steele€andÏthe€other€nurses,€however,€Hogg€suggested€that€Twombley€leaveÏimmediately,€and€he€complied.ÌÌà  àà ` àSteele€continued€working€at€Superior€until€December,Ï1993,€at€which€time€the€psychiatric€program€was€terminated.ÌÌà  àà ` àIn€support€of€her€claims,€Steele€introduced€theÏtestimony€of€various€supervisory€and€nursing€personnel€who€hadÏworked€for€Superior.€€Among€other€things,€these€witnesses€relatedÏtheir€observations€regarding€Twombleyððs€behavior€toward€Steele,Ïas€well€as€Steeleððs€complaints€regarding€that€behavior.€€ForÏexample,€Janet€Weise,€who€also€worked€as€a€nurse€in€theÏpsychiatric€program,€testified€that€Twombley€had€made€sexualÐ X:0: Ðcomments€and€innuendos€regarding€Steele€to€her.€€She€also€statedÏthat,€around€the€time€of€Twombleyððs€resignation,€she€had€met€withÏHogg€and€reported€some€of€Twombleyððs€comments€because€she€wasÏconcerned€about€the€stress€he€was€placing€on€Steele.€€LindaÏNation,€one€of€Steeleððs€clinical€supervisors,€testified€thatÏTwombley€had€made€derogatory€remarks€to€her€about€SteeleððsÏreputation.€€She€also€testified€that€Steele€had€continuallyÏcomplained€about€Twombleyððs€behavior.€€Wanda€Martin,€a€physicalÏtherapy€assistant,€testified€that€she€had€observed€TwombleyÏhovering€over€Steele€and€kneeling€at€her€desk,€and€that€she€hadÏnoticed€that€this€made€Steele€uncomfortable.€€Virginia€Mastin,Ïanother€nurse€in€the€psychiatric€program,€described€similarÏincidents,€and€also€recalled€Twombley€asking€what€size€underwearÏSteele€wore.€€She€testified€that€she€also€met€with€Hogg€toÏexpress€her€concern€over€Twombleyððs€behavior€toward€Steele.€ÏMartin€further€testified€that€although€James€Callaway,€SuperiorððsÏExecutive€Director€and€Hoggððs€immediate€supervisor,€had€been€madeÏaware€of€Steeleððs€complaints,€he€did€nothing€in€response.€ÏAnother€witness,€Cindy€Ewton€„„€one€of€Steeleððs€clinicalÏsupervisors€„„€testified€that€Steele€complained€repeatedly€aboutÏTwombley,€and€that€she€had€reported€all€of€Steeleððs€complaints€inÏher€chain€of€command€to€her€own€supervisor,€Darlene€Bellows.ÌÌà  àà ` àIn€defense€of€Steeleððs€claims,€Superior€offered€theÏtestimony€of€Darlene€Bellows€and€Kathleen€Grimes,€each€of€whomÏhad€supervised€Steele€for€a€short€time.€€Both€Bellows€and€GrimesÏtestified€that€they€had€never€witnessed€Twombley€behaveÏinappropriately.€€Mary€Hogg€testified€to€the€same€effect.€€HoggÏalso€stated€that,€following€her€initial€meeting€with€Steele,€theÏlatter€did€not€complain€to€her€again€until€August€of€1993.€Ð X:0: ÐFinally,€James€Callaway€testified€that€no€one,€including€Steele,Ïhad€ever€complained€to€him€regarding€Twombley.€€Twombley,€for€hisÏpart,€denied€Steeleððs€allegations.ÌÌà  àà ` àÔ‡XYFXX XYFÔThe€jury€determined€that€the€defendants€were€liable€toÐ ð  ÐSteele€on€the€theories€of€hostile€environment€and€quid€pro€quoÏsexual€harassment.€€It€additionally€found€that€Twombley€wasÏliable€to€Steele€for€his€outrageous€conduct€and€intentionalÏinfliction€of€emotional€distress.œ×ƒ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×›€€The€jury€thus€awarded€SteeleÐ @  Ð$1.2€million€in€compensatory€damages,€and€$60,000€in€punitiveÏdamages.€€The€trial€court€suggested€a€remittitur€of€the€fullÏamount€of€punitive€damages€and€$350,000€of€the€compensatoryÏdamages,€thereby€reducing€the€verdict€to€$850,000€„„€the€amountÏsued€for€in€the€complaint.€€It€then€denied€the€defendantsððÏmotions€for€a€new€trial,€contingent€upon€Steeleððs€acceptance€ofÏthe€remittitur.€€Steele€accepted€the€remittitur€without€protest.ÏBoth€defendants€appealed.ÌÌà@88)ìàII.ˆÌÌà  àà ` àSteeleððs€sexual€harassment€claims€were€brought€pursuantÏto€the€provisions€of€the€THRA,€T.C.A.€ðð€4„21„101,€òòet€seqóó.Ô#† XYFXXXYFW6#ÔÔ‡XYFXX XYFÔ€€TheÐ -È"* ÐTHRA€provides,€in€pertinent€part,€as€follows:ÌÌÓÓà@àà$ìàò òðð€4„21„401(a)ó óˆÐ (2Ø'0 ÐÌà  àà8 ` àIt€is€a€discriminatory€practice€for€an€employerÏto:Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(1)€Fail€or€refuse€to€hire€or€discharge€any€personÏor€otherwise€to€discriminate€against€an€individualÏwith€respect€to€compensation,€terms,€conditions€orÐ 8°-7 Ðprivileges€of€employment€because€of€suchÏindividualððs€race,€creed,€color,€religion,€sex,Ïage€or€national€origin;...Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÌà@””%ìàò òðð€4„21„301ó óˆÐ t$ ÐÌà  àà8 ` àIt€is€a€discriminatory€practice€for€a€person€orÏfor€two€(2)€or€more€persons€to:Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà@XX%ìà*€€€€*€€€€*ˆÌÌà  àà8 ` à(2)€Aid,€abet,€incite,€compel€or€command€a€personÏto€engage€in€any€of€the€acts€or€practices€declaredÏdiscriminatory€by€this€chapter;...Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÓ-;ÓÌA€ð ðpersonðð€is€defined€by€the€THRA€to€include€a€corporation.€€òòSeeóóÐ Dô ÐT.C.A.€ðð€4„21„102(14).ÌÌà@üü(ìàÔ#† XYFXXXYFÅ:#ÔIII.ˆÐ T ÐÌà  àà ` àWe€turn€first€to€the€admission„of„evidence€issue€raisedÏby€Superior.€€It€contends€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€allowingÏa€number€of€witnesses€to€testify€regarding€Twombleyððs€allegedÏharassment€when€they€did€not€have€firsthand€knowledge€of€hisÏconduct.€€Specifically,€Superior€insists€that€the€testimony€ofÏfour€witnesses€„„€Linda€Nation,€Wanda€Martin,€Willadean€Carrol,Ïand€Virginia€Mastin€„„€was€based€only€on€what€those€witnesses€hadÏbeen€told€by€Steele,€and€was,€therefore,€improperly€admitted.ÌÌà  àà ` àWith€regard€to€Nationððs€testimony,€we€note€that€she€wasÏone€of€Steeleððs€clinical€supervisors.€€Thus,€Steeleððs€comments€toÏher€regarding€Twombleyððs€behavior€were€admissible€œto›€œprove›€thatÏSuperior€had€òònoticeóó€of€the€alleged€œharassment,€rather€than€forÐ „54+4 Ðthe€purpose€of€proving€the€truth€of€her€assertions.›€€TheseÏcomplaints€had€ð ðlegal€significance€and€effectuate[d]€legalÐ ì8œ.8 Ðconsequences,€in€and€of€themselves,€irrespective€or€their€truthÏor€falsity,ðð€and,€as€such,€were€not€hearsay.€€òòSee€ò òBrown€v.€Dalyóóó ó,Ð ø ¨ Ð968€S.W.2d€814,€818€(Tenn.App.€1997).ÌÌà  àà ` àThe€other€witnesses€whose€testimony€Superior€challengesÏwere€not€supervisory€personnel.€€However,€Martin€and€Mastin€bothÏtestified€that€they€had€observed€Twombley€standing€close€toÏSteele,€kneeling€at€her€desk,€and€obviously€making€herÏuncomfortable.€€Martin€testified€that€she€had€on€one€occasionÏcalled€Steele€and€asked€if€she€needed€to€get€away€from€Twombley,Ïwho€was€then€at€Steeleððs€desk;€Steele€responded€affirmatively€andÏpretended€that€she€was€speaking€to€a€patient€so€that€TwombleyÏwould€leave€her€alone.€€œVirginia›€Mastin€testified€that€she€hadÏheard€Twombley€make€several€inappropriate€comments€of€a€sexualÏnature€regarding€Steele€and€others.€€Mastin€stated€that€sheÏbecame€concerned€for€Steeleððs€safety€and€arranged€a€meeting€withÏHogg.€€Given€the€nature€of€this€testimony,€œthese›€witnesses€œdidÏnot€lack›€firsthand€knowledge€of€Twombleyððs€behavior.€€WeÏacknowledge€that€the€testimony€of€the€fourth€witness,€œCarrol,€aÏco„worker,›€was€essentially€based€on€statements€made€to€her€byÏSteele.€€However,€Carrol€testified€very€briefly€on€this€subjectÏand€added€little,€if€anything,€to€the€record€as€a€whole.€€We€doÏnot€find,€considering€the€entire€record,€that€the€admission€ofÏCarrolððs€testimony€ð ðmore€probably€than€not€affected€theÏjudgment.ðð€€Rule€36(b),€T.R.A.P.€€Accordingly,€any€error€inÏadmitting€Carrolððs€testimony,€or€any€similar€testimony€by€œco„¼workers€Martin›€and€Mastin€regarding€Steeleððs€complaints€to€them,Ïwas€harmless.€€òòò òId.ó óóó€€We€find€Superiorððs€first€issue€to€be€withoutÐ (7Ø,6 Ðmerit.Ð ð8 .8 Їà@88)ìàIV.ˆÌÌà  àà ` àSuperior€and€Twombley€both€argue€that€Steeleððs€attorneyÏmade€prejudicial€statements€during€closing€argument,€therebyÏwarranting€a€new€trial.€€Specifically,€they€contend€that€SteeleððsÏattorney€made€an€improper€ð ðGolden€Ruleðð€argument׃(×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€by€making€theÐ ˜H  Ðfollowing€statement€to€the€jury:ÌÌÓÓà  àà8 ` àAsk€yourself,€if€this€had€happened€to€your€closeÏfriend,€if€this€had€happened€to€your€sister,€yourÏdaughter,€how€would€you€value€it?Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÓÓÌIn€its€charge€to€the€jury,€the€trial€court€issued€the€followingÏcurative€instruction:ÌÌÓÓà  àà8 ` à...it€would€be€improper€for€you€to€award€„„€whatÏyou€would€take€as€damages€for€the€wrongs€allegedlyÏsuffered€by€the€plaintiff€here€are€really€perhapsÏ„„€in€argument,€someone€may€have€talked€about€ifÏit€had€been€your€mother€or€someone€in€your€familyÏwhat€would€be€the€reasonable€compensation.€€ThatððsÏnot€the€law.€€You€need€to€apply€the€law€and€doÏyour€job€as€jurors€to€give€your€best€assessmentÏand€not€substitute€yourself€or€any€one€person€inÏthe€place€of€the€plaintiff,€but€use€your€bestÏjudgment€and€then€establish€an€amount€of€damagesÏthatððs€fair€and€reasonable€in€light€of€theÏevidence€before€you.Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÓÓÌà  àà ` àIt€is€well„established€that€the€trial€court€is€vestedÏwith€sound€discretion€in€exercising€control€over€what€will€orÏwill€not€be€permitted€in€argument.€€òòSee,€e.g.,ò ò€Perkins€v.€Sadleróóó ó,Ð 2À'0 Ð826€S.W.2d€439,€442€(Tenn.App.€1991).€€It€has€also€been€statedÏthatÌÐ (7Ø,6 ÐÓÓà  àà8 ` à[g]enerally€the€appellate€courts€will€notÏinterfere€with€the€discretionary€action€of€theÏtrial€court€in€refusing€a€mistrial€or€a€new€trialÏfor€misconduct€of€counsel€in€argument€unless€theÏargument€is€clearly€unwarranted€and€made€purelyÏfor€the€purpose€of€appealing€to€passion,€prejudiceÏand€sentiment€which€has€not€or€cannot€be€removedÏby€sustaining€objection€of€opposing€counsel,€orÏunless€the€appellate€court€finds€affirmativelyÏthat€it€affected€the€result€of€the€trial.Ï[Citations€omitted.]Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÓÓÌò òòòId.óóó ó€(quoting€ò òòòJ.€Avery€Bryan,€Inc.€v.€Hubbardóóó ó,€225€S.W.2d€282,€287Ð è˜  Ð(Tenn.App.€1949)).ÌÌà  àà ` àWe€agree€with€the€defendants€that€counselððs€statementÏwas€improper.€€However,€we€believe€that€the€trial€courtððsÏcurative€instruction€was€sufficient€to€blunt€the€risk€of€anyÏprejudicial€effect€upon€the€juryððs€verdict.€€We€certainly€cannotÏsay€that€counselððs€improper€argument€affected€the€juryððs€verdictÏin€this€case.€€òòò òPerkinsó óóó,€826€S.W.2d€at€442.òòò òÐ H#ø ÐÌà@tt)ìàó óóóV.ˆÐ Ø&ˆ" ÐÌà  àà ` àWe€next€turn€to€the€defendantsðð€contentions€that€theÏjuryððs€verdict€was€contrary€to€the€evidence€and€resulted€fromÏpassion,€prejudice€or€caprice.€€In€this€connection,€SuperiorÏargues€that€Steele€failed€to€establish€certain€elements€of€herÏhostile€environment€and€quid€pro€quo€sexual€harassment€claimsÏunder€the€THRA.€€Twombley,€meanwhile,€œinsists›€that€he€cannot€beÏheld€individually€liable€under€the€œTHRA.€€Both€challenge€theÏamount€of€damages.›Ì̜Р9À.8 Лà@tt)ìàA.ˆÌÌà  àà ` àIn€reviewing€a€juryððs€verdict,€we€must€decide€if€theÏrecord€contains€ð ðmaterial€evidence€to€support€the€verdict.ðð€€RuleÏ13(d),€T.R.A.P.;€ò òòòCoffey€v.€Fayette€Tubular€Products,€ó óóó929€S.W.2dÐ ð  Ð326,€331€n.2€(Tenn.€1996);€ò òòòPettus€v.€Hurstóóó ó,€882€S.W.2d€783,€788Ð ¸h  Ð(Tenn.App.€1993);€ò òòòBenson€v.€Tennessee€Valley€Elec.€Coop.ó óóó,€868Ð €0  ÐS.W.2d€630,€640€(Tenn.App.€1993).€€In€this€case,€the€trial€judgeÏapproved€the€juryððs€verdict,€as€remitted.€€Thus,€it€is€clear€thatÌÌÓÓà  àà8 ` à...the€trial€judgeððs€approval€of€the€amount€of€theÏjuryððs€verdict€invokes€the€material€evidence€rule,Ïjust€as€it€does€with€respect€to€all€other€factualÏissues€upon€which€appellate€review€is€sought,€andÏthat€ð ð[a]ll€of€the€evidence€in€the€record€thatÏtends€to€support€the€amount€of€the€verdict€shouldÏbe€given€full€faith€and€credit€upon€appellateÏreview.ððÐ ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÓÓÌò òòòPoole€v.€Kroger€Co.óóó ó,€604€S.W.2d€52,€54€(Tenn.€1980)(citing€ò òòòEllisÐ \$  Ðv.€White€Freightliner€Corp.óóó ó,€603€S.W.2d€125€(Tenn.€1980)).€€WeÐ $&Ô! Ðare€required€to€take€the€strongest€legitimate€view€of€all€theÏevidence,€including€all€reasonable€inferences€therefrom,€toÏsustain€the€verdict;€to€assume€the€truth€of€all€the€evidence€thatÏsupports€it;€and€to€discard€all€evidence€to€the€contrary.€€ò òòòPooleóóó ó,Ð ä,”") Ð604€S.W.2d€at€54.€€In€this€analysis,€we€do€not€weigh€theÏevidence,€nor€do€we€determine€the€credibility€of€the€witnesses.€Ïò òòòId.óóó ó;€ò òòòGrissom€v.€Metropolitan€Govððt€of€Nashvilleóóó ó,€817€S.W.2d€679,Ð ü1¬'/ Ð684€(Tenn.App.€1991).€€On€the€contrary,€ð ð[r]econciling€apparentlyÏconflicting€testimony€and€evaluating€the€witnessesðð€credibilityÏare,€in€the€first€instance,€the€juryððs€responsibilities.ðð€€ò òòòId.ó óóó€atÐ 7Ä,5 Ð683.€€Furthermore,€as€noted€in€ò òòòGrissomóóó ó,Ð Ü8Œ.7 ЇÓÓà  àà8 ` à[s]exual€harassment€cases,€by€their€very€nature,Ïrequire€the€finders€of€fact€to€reconcileÏconflicting€testimony€by€evaluating€the€witnessesððÏcredibility.Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÓÓÌòòò òId.ó óóó€at€684.Ð Ì ÐÌà@tt)ìàB.ˆÌÌœñïñ›à@tt)ìàC.›Ì›Ìñïñ›à  àà ` àWe€turn€œñðñnowñðññññnextñññ›€to€the€question€of€whether€the€evidenceÏsatisfied€each€element€of€Steeleððs€hostile€environment€harassmentÏclaim.€€Generally€speaking,€a€hostile€work€environment€is€createdÏð ðwhere€conduct€has€the€purpose€or€effect€of€unreasonablyÏinterfering€with€an€individualððs€work€performance€or€creating€anÏintimidating,€hostile,€or€offensive€working€environment.ðð€Ïò òòòCampbell€v.€Florida€Steel€Corp.ó óóó,€919€S.W.2d€26,€31€(Tenn.Ð Ì | Ð1996)(quoting€ò òòòMeritor€Sav.€Bank,€FSB€v.€Vinsonóóó ó,€477€U.S.€57,€106Ð ”"D ÐS.Ct.€2399,€91€L.Ed.2d€49€(1986)).€€The€basic€elements€of€aÏsupervisor„created,€hostile€work€environment€sexual€harassmentÏclaim€under€the€THRA€are:ÌÌÓÓà  àà8 ` à(1)€the€employee€was€a€member€of€a€protectedÏclass;Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(2)€the€employee€was€subjected€to€unwelcomedÏsexual€harassment;Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(3)€the€harassment€occurred€because€of€theÏemployeeððs€gender;€[and]Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(4)€the€harassment€affected€a€ð ðterm,€condition€orÏprivilegeðð€of€employment....Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÓÓÌò òòòCarr€v.€United€Parcel€Serviceóóó ó,€955€S.W.2d€832,€836€(Tenn.€1997).€Ð ”6D,5 ÐIn€addition,€the€Supreme€Court€held€in€ò òòòCarró óóó€that€employerÐ \8 .7 Ðliability€also€depends€on:€ð ð(1)€whether€the€supervisorððsÐ $:Ô/9 Ðharassing€actions€were€foreseeable€or€fell€within€the€scope€ofÏemployment;€and€(2)€even€if€they€were,€whether€the€employerÏresponded€adequately€and€effectively€to€negate€liability.ðð׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€ò òòòId.óóó óÐ   P Ðat€838;€ò òòòSanders€v.€Lanieróóó ó,€968€S.W.2d€787,€789€n.4€(Tenn.€1998).€Ð h ÐThus,€the€Court€held,€ð ðthe€employerððs€liability€is€predicated€onÏits€reaction€to€the€discriminatory€conduct.ðð€€ò òòòCarró óóó,€955€S.W.2d€atР؈  Ð838.œ×ƒL×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  כР P  ÐÌà  àà ` àNeither€defendant€argues€that€there€is€no€materialÏevidence€to€establish€the€first€four€elements€of€a€hostile€œÌÐ @ð Їenvironment›€harassment€claim.€€Even€if€they€had,€our€review€ofÏthe€record,€and€particularly€the€testimony€of€Steele€and€theÏwitnesses€called€to€testify€on€her€behalf,€persuades€us€thatÏthere€is€œmaterial›€evidence€that€Twombley€œsexually›€œharassed›ÏSteele.€€Superior€does€contend,€however,€that€Steele€failed€toÏestablish€the€basis€for€òòemployeróó€liability€in€that€she€failed€toÐ ˜H  Ðprove€the€last€two€elements€stated€in€ò òòòCarróóó ó.€€Specifically,Ð X  ÐSuperior€argues€that€Twombleyððs€actions€were€not€foreseeable,€andÏthat€it€responded€adequately€and€effectively€so€as€to€negateÏliability.€€However,€Superior€acknowledges€„„€and€we€agree€„„Ïthat€Twombleyððs€actions€ð ðallegedly€occurred€during€work€hours€andÏin€a€work€setting,ðð€òòi.e.óó,€within€the€scope€of€œemployment.€€WeÐ Àp Ðfind€and€hold€that€there€is€material€evidence€that€TwombleyððsÏð ðharassing€actions€were€foreseeable€or€fell€within€the€scope€ofÏemployment.ðð€€ò òòòCarró óóó,€955€S.W.2d€at€838.€€Accordingly,€there€isÐ Ð!€ Ðmaterial€evidence€establishing€the€first€prong€of€ò òòòCarrððsó óóó€test€ofÐ ˜#H Ðemployer€liability€for€hostile€work€environment€harassment.€€ò òòòIdó óóó.›Ð `%  ÐÌà  àà ` àAs€to€the€final€criterion€for€imposing€liability€uponÏan€employer,€Superior€points€to€the€following€facts€as€evidenceÏthat€it€responded€ð ðadequately€and€effectivelyðð€to€the€allegedÏharassment:€€Hoggððs€investigation€and€verbal€warning€to€TwombleyÏfollowing€her€initial€meeting€with€Steele;€Steeleððs€failure€toÏcomplain€again€to€Hogg€until€approximately€18€months€later;€andÏSuperiorððs€request,€following€Steeleððs€ð ðsecond€complaint€ofÏsexual€harassment,ðð€that€Twombley€leave€his€job€immediately.ÌÌà  àà ` àOur€Supreme€Court€has€stated€that€determinationsÏregarding€the€appropriateness€of€an€employerððs€response€dependÐ `9/8 Ðupon€the€circumstances€of€each€case.€€ò òòòCampbellóóó ó,€919€S.W.2d€at€33.€Ð P  ÐIn€this€instance,€the€record€contains€material€evidence€thatÏSuperior€failed€to€respond€ð ðadequately€and€effectivelyðð€toÏSteeleððs€complaints.€€Taking€the€strongest€legitimate€view€of€allÏthe€evidence€to€sustain€the€verdict,€òòò òPooleó óóó,€604€S.W.2d€at€54,€itÐ À Ðis€clear€that€Steele€complained€to€Hogg€following€her€trip€toÏAthens;€that€despite€Hoggððs€ð ðwarningðð€to€Twombley,€his€harassmentÏof€Steele€continued;€that€Steeleððs€supervisors,€Nation€and€Ewton,Ïhad€knowledge€of€the€harassment;€and€that€not€enough€was€done€toÏcurb€Twombleyððs€behavior€during€his€employment€at€Superior.€ÏThere€is€material€evidence€in€the€record€to€indicate€that,€by€theÏtime€Hogg€told€Twombley€to€leave€Superior€immediately,€he€hadÏharassed€Steele€for€approximately€a€year€and€a€half€and€had€rapedÏher€in€April,€1993.ÌÌà  àà ` àAccordingly,€we€hold€that€the€record€contains€materialÏevidence€to€support€the€juryððs€finding€that€Superior€is€liableÏfor€the€hostile€environment€created€by€Twombleyððs€harassment€ofÏSteele.ñòñœ×ƒ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×›ñòñ€€òòSee€óóRule€13(d),€T.R.A.P.Ð `($ ÐÌà  àà ` àWe€next€address€the€question€of€whether€Twombley€may€beÏindividually€liable€under€the€THRA€on€a€theory€of€hostile€workÏenvironment€sexual€harassment.€€As€noted€earlier,€the€THRAÏprohibits€an€òòemployeróó€from€engaging€in€discriminatory€practicesÐ À0p&. Ðagainst€a€person€based€on€sex.€€T.C.A.€ðð€4„21„401.€€The€THRAððsÏdefinition€of€ð ðemployerðð€includes€ð ðany€person€acting€as€an€agentÏof€an€employer,€directly€or€indirectly.ðð€€T.C.A.€ðð€4„21„102(4).€Ð Ð5€+4 ÐHowever,€the€Supreme€Court€expressly€held€in€ò òòòCarró óóó€that€ð ðtheÐ P  ÐTHRAððs€ððagent€of€an€employerðð€language€does€not€impose€individualÏliability.ðð€€òòò òCarróóó ó,€955€S.W.2d€at€835.€€The€Court€did€opine€thatÐ À p Ðan€œindividual,€under€the€proper€circumstances,€could›€be€liableÏunder€the€THRAððs€prohibition€against€aiding€or€abetting€othersÏwho€engage€in€discriminatory€acts.€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€at€836;€òòsee€óóT.C.A.€ðð€4„Р؈  Ð21„301(2).ÌÌà  àà ` àTwombley€asserts€that€the€record€does€not€support€aÏfinding€that€he€violated€the€œð ðaiding€and€abettingðð€provision›€ofÏT.C.A.€ðð€4„21„301(2).€The€ò òòòCarróóó ó€decision,€however,€states€thatÐ @ð Ðð ð[a]€supervisor€...€may€be€individually€liable€for€encouraging€orÏpreventing€the€employer€from€taking€corrective€action.ðð€òòò ò€Id.óóó ó€atÐ °` Ð838.€€It€further€provides€that€ð ðfor€purposes€of€decidingÏaccomplice€liability,€a€claim€of€supervisor€created€hostile€workÏenvironment€should€be€subject€to€the€same€analysis€as€a€claim€ofÏco„worker€harassment.ðð€€òòò òId.ó óóó€€Thus,€a€supervisor€is€individuallyÐ p%   Ðliable€under€a€hostile€work€environment€theory€where€theÏfollowing€is€established:€ÌÌÓÓà  àà8 ` à(1)€that€a€hostile€work€environment€existed;Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(2)€that€the€[supervisor]€acted€affirmatively€toÏaid,€abet,€incite,€compel€or€command€an€employerÏnot€to€take€remedial€action€to€the€hostile€workÏenvironment;€andÐ ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(3)€that€the€employer€engaged€in€employment„¼related€discrimination€by€failing€to€take€adequateÏremedial€action.Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÓÊ~ÓÌò òòòId.óóó ó€at€837.Ð ô6¤,5 Ðâ âÐ ¼8l.7 Ðà  àà ` àIn€the€instant€case,€it€is€clear€that€a€hostileÏâ âenvironment€existed;€furthermore,€we€have€previously€found€thatÏthe€evidence€supports€the€conclusion€that€Superior€failed€to€takeÏadequate€remedial€action.€€Thus,€the€first€and€third€elementsÏlisted€above€are€satisfied.€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€€As€to€the€second€element,€weÐ ð  Ðfind€that€Twombley€acted€affirmatively€in€discouraging€SuperiorÏfrom€taking€corrective€action€by€telling€his€own€supervisor,€MaryÏHogg,€that€he€did€not€make€the€sexually€explicit€remarkÏoriginally€complained€of€by€Steele.€€Twombleyððs€denial€that€theÏconduct€occurred€œwas€obviously€designed€to€cover€up€his€conductÏand€thus€discourage›€Hogg€and€Superior€from€taking€any€action€toÏremedy€the€hostile€environment.€€òòò òId.ó óóó€€While€œthis,€by€itself,›€doesÐ ¨X Ðnot€excuse€Superiorððs€lack€of€action,€Twombleyððs€denial€isÏsignificant€in€the€aiding€and€abetting€analysis.€€GenerallyÏspeaking,€a€denial€of€œinvolvement€in€the€offensive€conduct›€tendsÏto€encourage€an€œemployer›€not€ð ðto€take€remedial€action.ðð€€œò òòòId.óóó ó€€WeÐ h# Ðdo€not€see€how€it€can€be€argued€otherwise.›ÌÌà  àà ` àHaving€escaped€discipline,€Twombley€proceeded€to€harassÏSteele€with€increasing€frequency€and€severity,€until€heÏultimately€resigned.€€We€therefore€find€that,€under€the€facts€ofÏthis€case,€Twombley€can€be€held€individually€liable€for€hostileÏenvironment€sexual€harassment€as€an€aider€and€abetter.€€òòSee€ò òCarró óóó,Ð  /Ð$, Ð955€S.W.2d€at€835„38.€€Accordingly,€we€hold€that€the€juryððsÏverdict€finding€him€liable€on€that€theory€is€sustained€by€theÏevidence.Ì̜Р ˆ78-6 Лà@tt)ìàœñøñCñøññùñDñùñ.›ˆÌÌà  àà ` àWe€now€turn€to€the€second€theory€upon€which€the€juryÏfound€the€defendants€liable€„€quid€pro€quo€sexual€harassment.€ÏGenerally€speaking,€ð ð[q]uid€pro€quo€harassment€occurs€when€aÏsupervisor€conditions€employment€benefits€on€ððsexual€favors.ðððð€òòò òÐ ˜H  ÐId.ó óóó€at€837;€ò òòòSandersó óóó,€968€S.W.2d€at€789.€€To€prevail€on€a€claimÐ @ð  Ðagainst€an€employer€based€on€this€theory,€a€plaintiff€must€show:ÌÌÓÓà  àà8 ` à(1)€that€the€employee€was€a€member€of€a€protectedÏclass;Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(2)€that€the€employee€was€subjected€to€unwelcomeÏsexual€harassment€in€the€form€of€sexual€advancesÏor€requests€for€sexual€favors;Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(3)€that€the€harassment€complained€of€was€based€onÏsex;Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(4)€that€the€employeeððs€submission€to€theÏunwelcome€advances€was€an€express€or€impliedÏcondition€for€receiving€job€benefits€or€that€theÏemployeeððs€refusal€to€submit€to€the€supervisorððsÏdemands€resulted€in€a€tangible€job€detriment;€andÐ ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(5)€the€existence€of€respondeat€superiorÏliability.Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÓÓÌòòò òCarró óóó,€955€S.W.2d€at€837;òòò ò€Sandersóóó ó,€968€S.W.2d€at€789.€€As€to€theÐ ¼*l ' Ðfifth€element,€the€Supreme€Court€expressly€stated€in€ò òòòCarró óóó€thatÐ „,4") ÐÌÓÓà  àà8 ` à[t]he€employer€is€strictly€liable€for€aÏsupervisorððs€quid€pro€quo€harassment€under€theÏdoctrine€of€respondeat€superior....€Under€[an]Ïalter€ego€theory€of€liability,€the€supervisorððsÏacts€within€the€scope€of€employment€are€imputed€toÏthe€employer.Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÓÓÌò òòòCarróóó ó,€955€S.W.2d€at€837;€òòsee€alsoóó€ò òòòSandersó óóó,€968€S.W.2d€at€789„90.Ð h7-6 ÐÐ 09à.8 Ðà  àà ` àSuperior€insists€that€Steele€failed€to€prove€the€fourthÏelement€of€her€quid€pro€quo€claim.€€We€agree.€€We€acknowledgeÏthat€there€is€some€evidence€that€Twombley€may€have€impliedlyÏoffered€Steele€job€benefits€in€exchange€for€sexual€favors;Ïhowever,€there€is€absolutely€no€evidence€that€Steele€voluntarilyÏsubmitted€to€his€advances.€€Thus,€Steele€was€required€to€proveÏthat€her€refusal€to€give€in€to€Twombley€resulted€in€someÏð ðtangible€job€detrimentðð€to€her.€€ò òòòCarróóó ó,€955€S.W.2d€at€837;Ð è˜  Ðò òòòSandersóóó ó,€968€S.W.2d€at€789.€€As€stated€in€ò òòòBurlington€Industries,Ð °`  ÐInc.€v.€Ellerthó óóó,€Ð x( ÐÌÓÓà  àà8 ` à[w]hen€a€plaintiff€proves€that€a€tangibleÏemployment€action€resulted€from€a€refusal€toÏsubmit€to€a€supervisorððs€sexual€demands,€he€or€sheÏestablishes€that€the€employment€decision€itselfÏconstitutes€a€change€in€the€terms€and€conditionsÏof€employment....Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÓH’ÓÌòòò òId.ó óóó,€œ118€S.Ct.›€at€œ2265;›€òòsee€alsoò ò,€Reinhold€v.€Commonwealth€ofÐ \$  ÐVirginiaóóó ó,€151€F.3d€172,€174„75€(4th€Cir.€1998).€€The€UnitedÐ $&Ô! ÐStates€Supreme€Court€defined€a€ð ðtangible€employment€actionðð€as€ð ðaÏsignificant€change€in€employment€status,€such€as€hiring,€firing,Ïfailing€to€promote,€reassignment€with€significantly€differentÏresponsibilities,€or€a€decision€causing€a€significant€change€inÏbenefits.ðð€€òòò òBurlington€Industriesó óóó,€œ118€S.Ct.›€œat€2268.›Ð Œ.<$+ ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€record€in€the€instant€case€indicates€that€SteeleÏreceived€positive€job€evaluations€from€Twombley.€€She€was€notÏdemoted€or€reassigned,€nor€did€she€receive€any€reduction€inÏsalary€or€benefits.€€Her€termination€did€not€occur€untilÏapproximately€four€months€after€Twombleyððs€resignation,€and,Ïfollowing€the€dismissal€of€her€retaliatory€discharge€claim,€itÐ D:ô/9 Ðdoes€not€appear€that€Steele€has€argued€that€her€termination€wasÏrelated€to€the€harassment.€€Thus,€the€record€œis€devoid€of€anyÏmaterial€evidence€that€an€adverse€ð ðtangible›€employment€actionððÏresulted€from€Steeleððs€refusal€to€submit€to€Twombleyððs€advances.€Ïò òòòBurlington€Industriesó óóó,€œ118€S.Ct.›€at€œ2265;›€òòò òReinholdó óóó,€151€F.3d€atÐ ð  Ð175.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Accordingly,€we€find€that€the€record€does€not€containÐ ¸h  Ðmaterial€evidence€to€support€the€juryððs€finding€that€Superior€isÏliable€to€Steele€on€the€theory€of€quid€pro€sexual€harassment.€ÏRule€13(d),€T.R.A.P.;€ò òòòCarró óóó,€955€S.W.2d€at€837.Ð °`  ÐÌà  àà ` àTwombley,€meanwhile,€contends€that€he€cannot€be€heldÏindividually€liable€for€quid€pro€quo€harassment€under€the€THRA.€ÏHe€insists€that€the€trial€court€should€have€granted€his€motionÏfor€directed€verdict€as€to€that€claim.€€The€Supreme€Court€in€ò òòòCarróóó óÐ  È Ðspecifically€declined€to€address€the€question€of€individualÏsupervisor€liability€for€quid€pro€quo€discrimination.׃x×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€atÐ ˆ#8 Ð837„38.€€œSince€we›€have€already€determined€that€this€case€does€notÏpresent€a€viable€claim€of€quid€pro€quo€sexual€œharassment,›€œwe›€doÏnot€need€to€resolve€this€issue€œleft€open€in€ò òòòCarró óóó.›Ð  (P$ ÐÐ h* & Ðà  àà ` àIn€summary,€we€hold€that€the€record€contains€materialÏevidence€to€support€the€juryððs€finding€that€Superior€is€liableÏunder€the€THRA€for€hostile€environment€sexual€harassment.€€TheÏjuryððs€verdict€finding€Superior€liable€on€the€theory€of€quid€proÏquo€harassment,€however,€is€not€supported€by€the€evidence.€€WithÏregard€to€Twombley,€we€hold€that€the€evidence€supports€a€findingÏof€liability€as€an€aider€and€abetter€on€the€theory€of€hostileÏenvironment€harassment.ÌÌà@tt)ìàœñúñDñúññûñEñûñ.›ˆÌÌà  àà ` àAs€indicated€earlier,€the€jury€also€found€TwombleyÏliable€for€ð ðoutrageous€conduct€and/or€intentional€infliction€ofÏemotional€distress.ðð€€œWe€now€examine›€the€record€œto€determine€ifÏthere€is€material›€evidence€to€support€the€juryððs€finding€as€toÏthat€claim.ÌÌà  àà ` àð ðIntentional€infliction€of€emotional€distress€andÏoutrageous€conduct€are€not€two€separate€torts,€but€are€simplyÏdifferent€names€for€the€same€cause€of€action.ðð€€ò òòòBain€v.€Wellsóóó ó,Ð È)x& Ð936€S.W.2d€618,€622€n.3€(Tenn.€1997).€€There€are€three€elementsÏto€the€claim:ÌÌÓÓà  àà8 ` à(1)€the€conduct€complained€of€must€be€intentionalÏor€reckless;Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(2)€the€conduct€must€be€so€outrageous€that€it€isÏnot€tolerated€by€civilized€society;€andÐ ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à(3)€the€conduct€complained€of€must€result€inÏserious€mental€injury.Ð ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÌÓÓÌò òòòId.óóó óÐ ¤9T/9 Їà  àà ` àFor€reasons€not€entirely€clear,€Twombley€does€notÏspecifically€argue€on€appeal€that€the€evidence€is€contrary€to€theÏjuryððs€finding€that€he€is€liable€for€outrageous€conduct.€€In€anyÏevent€„„€taking€the€strongest€legitimate€view€of€all€theÏevidence,€òòò òPooleó óóó,€604€S.W.2d€at€54€„„€we€find€that€the€proof€ofÐ ð  ÐTwombleyððs€harassment€and€rape€of€Steele,€and€the€emotionalÏeffects€that€his€actions€had€upon€her,€clearly€satisfies€theÏelements€of€the€cause€of€action.€€Accordingly,€Ô‡XYFXX XYFÔwe€hold€that€theÐ ¸  Ðrecord€does€contain€material€evidence€to€support€the€juryððsÏverdict€against€Twombley€on€the€theory€of€outrageousÏconduct/intentional€infliction€of€emotional€distress.€€RuleÏ13(d),€T.R.A.P.Ô#† XYFXXXYF™¥#ÔÐ ¨X ÐÌà@tt)ìàœñüñEñüññýñFñýñ.›ˆÌÌà  àà ` àThe€œñþñdefendantsñþññÿñpartiesñÿñ›€further€argue€that€the€verdict€must€beÏset€aside,€insisting€that€the€juryððs€award€was€ð ðoutside€theÏbounds€of€reasonablenessðð€and€the€product€of€passion,€prejudiceÏor€caprice.€€œñ ñThe€defendantsñ ññ ñTwombleyñ ñ›€also€œcontendñ ñsñ ñ›€that€the€trial€courtÏerred€in€failing€to€further€remit€the€award.ÌÌà  àà ` àAs€we€have€previously€stated,€we€must€affirm€the€juryððsÏverdict€if€the€record€contains€material€evidence€to€support€it.€ÏRule€13(d),€T.R.A.P.;€ò òòòCoffey€v.€Fayette€Tubular€Productsóóó ó,€929Ð ˆ08&. ÐS.W.2d€326,€331€n.2€(Tenn.€œ1996).€€In€our€review,€we€are€guidedÏby€a€well„established€principle:ÌÌÓÓà  àà8 ` àThe€amount€of€the€verdict€is€primarily€for€theÏjury€to€determine,€and€next€to€the€jury€the€mostÏâ âcompetent€person€to€pass€upon€the€matter€is€theÐ ð8 .8 Ðjudge€who€presided€at€the€trial€and€heard€theÏevidence.Ð ` Ð ` Ð  Ðâ âÌÌÌÓÓò òòòSmith€v.€Sheltonó óóó,€569€S.W.2d€421,€427€(Tenn.€1978)€(citing€ò òòòReevesÐ t$ Ðv.€Catignanió óóó,€7€S.W.2d€38,€39€(Tenn.€1928)).Ð <ì ÐÌà  àà ` àWe›€have€œheretofore€determined›€that€the€record€doesÏcontain€material€evidence€to€support€the€juryððs€findings€thatÏSuperior€and€Twombley€œviolated›€the€THRA€and€that€Twombley€isÏliable€to€Steele€for€his€outrageous€œconduct/intentional›Ïinfliction€of€emotional€distress€upon€the€plaintiff.€€By€the€sameÏtoken,€our€review€of€the€record€persuades€us€that€there€isÏmaterial€evidence€to€support€the€amount€of€compensatory€damagesÏawarded€by€the€jury,€as€remitted€by€the€trial€court.€€The€juryÏobviously€accredited€Steeleððs€testimony€to€the€effect€that€sheÏhad€been€harassed€for€an€extended€period€and€raped€by€Twombley.€ÏAlthough€the€award€was€high€in€relation€to€Steeleððs€actual€œandÏanticipated€medical›€œexpenses€„„€approximately€$18,500€„„›€weÏcannot€say€that€the€pain,€suffering€and€other€damages€caused€byÏTwombleyððs€actions€did€not€justify€an€award€of€œ$850,000.€€Ô‡XYFXX XYFÔSteeleÐ 4)ä% Ðtestified€that,€as€a€result€of€the€harassment€and€rape,€she€hasÏlost€weight€and€suffers€from€headaches€and€flashbacks.€€SheÏtestified€that€she€has€not€been€able€to€focus€well€at€work,€andÏthat€she€has€also€been€affected€spiritually.€€She€stated€that€itÏis€difficult€for€her€to€get€up€in€front€of€a€crowd€of€people,Ïbecause€she€feels€that€everybody€knows€what€happened€to€her.€€TheÏrecord€indicates€that€she€has€changed€jobs€several€times€sinceÏbeing€terminated€by€Superior.€€Steele€testified€that,€on€oneÏoccasion,€she€passed€up€a€good€job€opportunity€because€itÏpotentially€would€have€required€her€to€work€at€times€with€aÐ Ä9t/9 Ðcompany€where€Twombley€was€then€employed.€€Steele€began€seeing€aÏpsychiatrist,€Dr.€Catherine€Gyurik,€in€January,€1994.€€She€wasÏalso€treated€by€a€therapist,€Kathleen€Reilly.€€In€1996,€she€beganÏseeing€Dr.€Solovey,€who€observed€that€she€was,€among€otherÏthings,€frightened,€anxious,€tearful€and€distraught.€€At€theÏtime,€Steele€was€also€suffering€from€panic€attacks.€€Dr.€SoloveyÏtreated€Steele€for€approximately€nine€months,€but€testified€that,Ïin€his€opinion,€she€needed€an€additional€two€years€of€treatment.ÌÌà  àà ` àÔ#† XYFXXXYF[¯#ÔAccordingly,›€the€œñ ñdefendantñ ññ ñpartieñ ñsðð›€argument€that€the€amountÐ 8è Ðof€damages€warranted€a€new€trial€or€further€remittitur€is€œfoundÏto€be€without›€merit.ÌÌà@88)ìàVI.ˆÌÌà  àà ` àTwombley€next€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€inÏgiving€the€jury€an€inaccurate€charge.€€In€its€instructions€to€theÏjury,€the€trial€court€stated€that,€ð ð[a]s€a€supervisor€with€aÏright€to€control,€in€this€case,€Mr.€Twombley,€for€the€purposes€ofÏthis€charge,€is€to€be€considered€as€an€employer€as€well.ððÌÌà  àà ` àWe€acknowledge€that€the€Supreme€Court€in€ò òòòCarróóó ó€held€thatÐ -È"* Ðthe€THRAððs€inclusion€of€ð ðany€person€acting€as€an€agent€of€anÏemployerðð€in€its€definition€of€ð ðemployerðð€does€not€imposeÏindividual€liability.€€ò òòòCarróóó ó,€955€S.W.2d€at€835.€€However,€we€haveÐ 02à'0 Ðalready€held€that€the€record€supports€œa›€finding€œthat€Twombley€is›Ïliable€for€hostile€environment€sexual€œharassment€as€an€aider€andÏabetter›€and€œfor›€intentional€infliction€of€emotional€distress.€ÏœWhile€the€quoted€charge€was€erroneous,€we€do€not€find€that€itÐ ð8 .8 Ðmore€probably€than€not€affected€the€juryððs€verdict;€therefore,›Ïany€error€in€the€trial€courtððs€charge€that€Twombley€was€anÏð ðemployerðð€was€harmless.€€Rule€36(b),€T.R.A.P.ÌÌà@üü(ìàVII.ˆÌÌà  àà ` àFinally,€Twombley€contends€that,€because€the€THRA€ð ðdoesÏnot€apply€to€[him]€as€an€individual€supervisory€employee,ðð€theÏtrial€court€erred€in€awarding€œattorneyððs›€fees€against€him.€€As€weÏhave€previously€explained,€œthere€is€material›€œevidence€to›€œsupport›Ïa€finding€œthat€Twombley›€œviolated€the€THRA.€€Accordingly,›€we€findÏthis€issue€to€be€without€merit.ÌÌà@ÀÀ(ìàVIII.ˆÌÌà  àà ` àIt€results€that€the€œjudgment€of€the€trial€court€is›Ïaffirmed.€€œCosts›€on€appeal€are€assessed€to€the€œappellants.›€€ThisÏcase€is€remanded€to€the€trial€court€for€œenforcement€of€the€trialÏcourtððs€judgment€and€for€collection€of€costs€assessed€below,€allÏpursuant€to€applicable€law.›Ì̛̜ÓÓà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à__________________________Ìà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àCharles€D.€Susano,€Jr.,€J.ÌœÌÌÌCONCUR:›ÌÌÌ_________________________ÌHerschel€P.€Franks,€J.ÌÌÌ_________________________ÌWilliam€H.€Inman,€œSr.J.Ì›