PHILADELPHIA – A former employer at a pharmaceutical company is suing the business over a claim that she was fired because of her medical conditions.
Wendy Christian filed a lawsuit March 1 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Lannett Company Inc., alleging a violation of the Civil Rights of 1964, the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Christian, 52, who suffers from circardian rhythm disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and insomnia, accepted a job offer with Lannett Company Inc. on or about July 15, 2013, the suit says.
She claims that during her employment, management treated her in a disparate and discriminatory manner as compared to her male co-workers, such as denying her access to certain computer systems and not being informed of available reimbursement funds for cell phone bills.
In or about August 2014, she filed a gender discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and in or about September 2014, she requested and took medical leave number the Family and Medical Leave Act, the suit says.
She requested a return to work on or about Dec. 23, 2014 with several workplace accommodations, including but not limited to a modified start time, a maximum of seven hours per day, and flexibility to work from home, the suit alleges.
According to lawsuit, she was not granted the accommodations requested and was told to provide more information regarding her medical conditions. Christian provided that information on or about January 9, 2015 and was terminated, according to the lawsuit.
Christian is seeking reimbursement for any and all pay she would have received it had not been for the company's alleged illegal actions. She is also seeking back pay, front pay, salary, pay increases, bonuses, pension, punitive damages and reinstatement.
Christian, who is demanding a jury trial, is being represented by attorney Ari R. Karpf of Karpf, Karpf & Cerutti, P.C. in Bensalem.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-00963-CDJ