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Friday, March 29, 2024

Worker cites Whole Foods with alleged discrimination

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A Philadelphia resident sued a large national supermarket company alleging civil rights violations.

Milija Stojancic sued Whole Foods Market, Inc. of Austin, Texas, in the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania on May 20 alleging wrongful termination in October 2013 on the basis of her national origin, age and sex.

Stojancic, a 68-year-old woman from Serbia, was employed by the defendant at its Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, location beginning in April 2010. The plaintiff alleges that when management changed hands in April 2013, her hours decreased notably. When she asked the scheduler why, she was specifically told that younger employees could handle the work better.

Following an unrelated accident on Sept. 30, 2013 for which she required stitches, Stojancic was instructed by her physician to take time off from work until Oct. 24, according to the filing. The suit states that she informed her employer that all paperwork would be filed pending an appointment to remove the sutures on Oct. 14, 2013; and that an hour prior to that appointment, she was terminated by telephone with no reason given.

Alleging that she was terminated due to her age, gender and national origin, the plaintiff cites violation of employment law. She alleges loss of wages, embarrassment, humiliation, anguish and distress. Stojancic seeks back and front pay, compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees, and court costs. 

She is represented by J. Michael Farrell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case 2:15-cv-02830-WY

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