PHILADELPHIA — A former housekeeper is suing a Philadelphia hotel, alleging his termination was due to his age.
John M. Whitfield Jr. filed a lawsuit June 23 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Hersha Hospitality Management LP, doing business at Rittenhouse Hotel, and Hersha Hospitality Trust, alleging violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
Whitfield worked as an assistant executive housekeeper and the suit states he worked in an exemplary manner. According to the complaint, in September 2012, Ken Newhart, 28, was hired for the co-assistant position and although Newhart had less experience the defendants gave him the more desirable shift and reassigned Whitfield's duties to Newhart.
The lawsuit states Whitfield, 53, was terminated by the defendants Dec. 30, 2013, but they retained Newhart, who was significantly younger.
Whitfield seeks damages for lost wages and benefits, future pecuniary losses and legal and equitable relief, plus a jury trial. He is represented by attorney Albert J. Mitchell of Albert J. Mitchell PC in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:15-cv-03518