Salon worker files lawsuit alleging age discrimination

HOUSTON -- A Harris County woman brought a lawsuit against a hospitality company for alleged age discrimination and retaliation in 2014.

Linda Long filed against Omni Hotels Management Corp., of Austin, in the Houston Division of the U.S. District Court's Southern District of Texas on May 14, claiming discrimination and retaliation in a March 2014 work matter.

Long was employed as a cosmetologist by the defendant since February 2011. Stating that she was the most senior and the oldest technician working at the Omni’s Houston spa location, the plaintiff alleges that Laura Latronico made disparaging remarks regarding her age, treated her differently due to her age, and ultimately compromised her employment.

Declaring that she performed her job professionally and respectfully, the plaintiff maintains that Latronico treated her differently from the younger employees; and denied older technicians their clients and equipment, reassigning them to younger workers.

After Long confronted Latronico, she was demoted to part-time status in October 2013, her clients reassigned to a less qualified employee, the lawsuit states. Following a second conversation, incidents of discrimination allegedly increased.

At a March 13 meeting ostensibly convened for event planning, supervisors are said to have made false accusations against the plaintiff; suspended her without pay; and terminated her on March 18, 2014.

Citing mental anguish, lost wages and earning capacity, humiliation and damage to her reputation, the plaintiff seeks: actual and exemplary damages; back pay and benefits; pre- and post-judgment interest; attorneys' and expert witness fees; expenses and costs. The plaintiff is represented by Barbara Gardner of Gardner Employment Law, Houston.

Houston Division of the U.S. District Court's Southern District of Texas case no. 4:15-cv-01283.