PHILADELPHIA -- A woman has filed suit against the City of Philadelphia Commerce Department, citing alleged disability discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation and violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Christina Adenike Gardiner filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against the City of Philadelphia Commerce Department, alleging the employer violated the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on July 13, 2013 she spoke to a human resources manager to discuss a situation regarding her supervisor, to report that she felt stressed out, agitated, that she had a fast heartbeat, that her chest hurt and that she got headaches after receiving some emails from her supervisor. She explained that the hostile work environment was affecting her emotionally, mentally and physically, she alleges, adding that the manager suggested she file a harassment complaint.
On Aug. 1, 2013, the HR director, managing director and deputy HR director told her she was being terminated, Gardiner claims. The plaintiff holds the City of Philadelphia Commerce Department responsible because the defendant allegedly discriminated against her, treated her differently than her other co-workers and terminated her because of perceived disability and engaging in a protected activity.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks to permanently enjoin the defendant from discriminating or retaliating against her, compensation for all damages, attorneys' fees, costs and expenses and all such other legal or equitable relief as the court deems just, proper and appropriate.
She is represented by Timothy M. Kolman, Wayne A. Ely and W. Charles Sipio of Kolman Ely PC in Penndel.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-02131