PHILADELPHIA – A woman is suing her employer over a claim that she is being consistently harassed and discriminated against by co-workers and management because of her disability.
Barbara Barry filed a lawsuit April 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against GE Water and Process Technologies alleging a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Barry has worked as a sales administrator for GE Water since August 1987 and was required to be out of work on short-term disability from February to May 2012, a few months after a new supervisor was hired, the suit says.
Upon return from disability leave, according to the claim, Barry was subjected to remarks and jokes about being on medication, as well as comments about her salary, her work habits and her appearance.
On or about April 1, 2014, according to the claim, a non-disabled co-worker was permitted by the new supervisor to move her cubicle to the one Barry had originally requested. Also, according to the claim, Barry had sent numerous emails to the new supervisor for information needed to complete assignments, but failed to receive replies.
She is claiming that her work conditions have become progressively more discriminatory, prompting her to file an additional charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on or about April 11.
Barry is seeking back pay, front pay, salary, pay increases, bonuses, medical and other benefits, as well as those benefits allegedly illegally withheld from the date she first experienced discrimination until the date of verdict.
Barry, who is demanding a jury trial, is being represented by attorneys Timothy M. Kolman, Wayne A Ely and W. Charles Sipio of Kolman Ely, P.C.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Court Case number 2:16-cv-01937-MAK