A California appeals court has nearly halved a more than $4 million employee sexual harassment award against Qwest Communications.

The 1st District Court of Appeal in San Francisco ruled on Monday that the jury's damages were excessive and the court cut it by $2 million.

But the San Francisco Chronicle (bit.ly/NyRllh) says the appeals court upheld the jury's finding that Qwest was responsible for the mistreatment of a former employee by a supervisor who had harassed other women.

Jurors decided that Qwest failed to protect Amy Moran from gender-based harassment that became so intense she finally quit her job.

Moran oversaw sales of communications equipment from the company's San Francisco office.

Testimony showed supervisor Dennis Sherwood insulted and demeaned Moran during staff meetings.