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PENNSYLVANIA RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Woman sues Rice Energy over allegations of discrimination and retaliation

Security

PITTSBURGH — A former security guard for Rice Energy is suing the company for allegedly retaliating against her for filing an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission discrimination claim.

Kristin Lockhart filed a lawsuit on Feb. 25 in the U.S District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against Rice Energy Inc., citing violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Act of 1991.

According to the complaint, Lockhart was working as a security guard at the defendant’s various shale drilling sites beginning in 2013. In April 2013, the plaintiff claims she was fired due to the fact that she was pregnant and posed an alleged liability concern. Lockhart filed an EEOC Charge of Discrimination against the defendant in reaction to her termination.

In August 2013, the defendant allegedly laid off all of its security guards; however, on Sept. 24, 2013, the defendant reportedly held a meeting to hire back all of the guards but one. After the meeting, the plaintiff avers that she withdrew her EEOC claim, of which the defendant was not aware until the day after the aforementioned meeting, according to the suit

The plaintiff claims that after the defendant learned of the EEOC charge, a manager decided not to rehire Lockhart or her husband who was also a guard.

Lockhart seeks front and back pay, lost benefits, interest, compensatory damages, attorney’s fees, expenses, costs, and punitive damages. She is represented by John Newborn in Pittsburg, PA.

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-00207-MBC

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