PHILADELPHIA — A former employee has filed a class-action lawsuit against Coatesville Area School District and Superintendent Cathy Taschner, citing alleged retaliation and wrongful termination.
Dannette A. Murphy filed a complaint on April 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against the defendants, alleging that they violated the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that she was unlawfully terminated and retaliated against for taking approved FMLA leave. She also regularly worked for over 40 hours a week without proper compensation, she claims.
The plaintiff holds Coatesville Area School District and Taschner responsible because the defendants allegedly refused to return her to an equivalent position at the same rate and benefits after her leave and failed to compensate her in an amount equal to one and one-half times her regular rate for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks to permanently enjoin the defendants from unlawful practices, plus compensation for all damages, costs and expenses and any other equitable and legal relief as the court deems just and proper. She is represented by Eric M. Brown of Siana, Bellwoar & McAndrew LLP in Chester Springs.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-01964