PITTSBURGH — A man is seeking damages, claiming that his employer unlawfully terminated him because of his age and religion.
Howard J. Pannell filed a complaint on Feb. 9 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against Friendship Ride Nursing Home, alleging age discrimination and religious discrimination.
According to the claim, Pannell was employed by the defendant from June 9, 2014, until Feb. 27, 2015, as the director of nursing. The suit states that in October 2014 he was told he was being promoted, but in November the offer was retracted. In December 2014, a younger employee, a Mr. Zlotolow, was hired as Pannell's supervisor, and the plaintiff claims that he began to be discriminated against for his age and insulted by Zlotolow. The suit also states that Zlotolow is Jewish and would insult Pannell for his Christian beliefs. On Feb. 27, 2015 the defendant terminated Pannell.
Pannell seeks damages for lost wages, illegal treatment, violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, court costs and attorneys' fees. He is represented by TIffany R. Waskowicz of Joshua M. Bloom & Associates PC in Pittsburgh.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-00151