AUGUSTA – Staff of the Maine Human Rights Commission has found reasonable grounds to believe that Northeast Bank created a hostile work environment for two female workers and that the women were fired in retaliation for complaining of unlawful sex discrimination in employment.

The allegations were brought by Roxanne Gagne of Raymond and Kelly McKeil of Windham, both former vice presidents and regional business development officers for the Lewiston-based bank.

The separate complaints by each woman were filed at the end of March and early April of 2007. They alleged that the bank subjected them to less favorable terms and conditions of employment and a hostile work environment because of gender, and that the bank terminated them in retaliation for complaining.

The bank has denied the allegations, stating that neither of the women approached their supervisor about their feelings of a hostile work environment. Further, the bank said the women’s termination was based on senior managements’ decision to eliminate the positions the women held.

After a review of the material submitted by both sides and fact-finding conferences, commission staff recommended the commission find reasonable grounds for the allegations and that conciliation be attempted among the parties. The recommendation was issued Nov. 13. The commission will now take up the recommendation and issue a final finding.