PHILADELPHIA – A Montgomery County woman who worked as a promotions and marketing director for a local media company claims that she was unjustly terminated from her role, on the basis of her age and gender.
Lisa Harris of Norristown first filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Aug. 2 versus Beasley Media Group, LLC and Beasley Mezzanine Holdings, LLC, of Bala Cynwyd.
“Plaintiff was employed by defendants and its predecessor from on or about Sept. 8, 2014 until on or about Oct. 31, 2019. Plaintiff consistently performed her job duties in a highly competent manner and received positive feedback. Plaintiff last held the position of Promotions Director and Marketing Director. On or about July 26, 2018, plaintiff began reporting to Joseph Bell (male), Vice President and Market Manager,” the suit says.
“On or about Oct. 31, 2019, defendants terminated plaintiff’s employment. Before the termination meeting, plaintiff had no indication that her job was in jeopardy. The stated reason for plaintiff’s termination was defendants’ reduction in force. During the termination meeting, Bell stated that plaintiff’s termination was not performance-based. During the terminating meeting, Bell stated that plaintiff’s termination had nothing to do with her age.”
Harris adds she subsequently asked Gloria Wren, Corporate Human Resources Director, why Bell had stated that her termination had nothing to do with her age. Wren replied that the plaintiff should not have been told that, leading Harris to argue that the defendants’ “conduct and comments evidence a bias against older and/or female employees.”
“At the time of plaintiff’s termination, seven Director-level employees reported directly to Bell, including plaintiff. Plaintiff was the only female employee and, to plaintiff’s knowledge, amongst the oldest of such Director level employees. Plaintiff was Bell’s only direct report terminated effective Oct. 31, 2019. Defendants retained all other Director-level employees directly reporting to Bell and retained all of plaintiff’s direct reports, all of whom were younger and/or male. Defendants retained male and/or younger employees in positions for which plaintiff was more qualified,” per the suit.
“Defendants offered no explanation, including the selection criteria, as to why plaintiff was terminated and the younger and/or male employees were retained. Defendants replaced plaintiff with Donnie Black (male, approximate age 34). Following plaintiff’s termination, plaintiff’s job duties were additionally handled by Sean Hagan (male, approximate age 25) and Sean Burke (male, approximate age 34). Plaintiff’s combination of age and sex was a motivating and determinative factor in plaintiff’s termination of employment.”
For counts of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, the plaintiff is seeking a declaration that the acts and practices complained of herein were in violation of the aforementioned laws, all damages to make plaintiff whole for all lost earnings, earning capacity and benefits, past and future, which plaintiff has suffered or may suffer as a result of defendants’ unlawful conduct; back pay and front pay; compensatory damages to plaintiff for past and future pain and suffering, emotional upset, mental anguish, humiliation, and loss of life’s pleasures, punitive damages, liquidated damages, such other damages and relief as is appropriate under Title VII, the ADEA, and the PHRA; costs of suit, expert fees, and other disbursements; attorneys’ fees; and such other and further relief as this Court may deem just, proper, or equitable including other equitable and injunctive relief providing restitution for past violations and preventing future violations.
The plaintiff is represented by Lane Schiff of Console Mattiacci Law, in Philadelphia.
The defendants have not yet obtained legal counsel.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case 2:21-cv-03432
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com