A Harris County resident filed a lawsuit against her employer alleging a Family Medical Leave Act violation and deliberate mistreatment following her illness and time off from work .
Janie B. Castro of Pasadena filed a complaint against Avance Inc. in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas on June 16, claiming infringement of employment law in May 2015.
According to the suit, Castro worked for the defendant for over 20 years in a supervisory role. Following time off for illness in late February, she required FMLA leave from March 3 through May 17. The suit states that she was suffering from job-related stress and panic attacks, and that Castro’s physician identified the date of onset as Feb. 10.
The complaint states that upon her return to work, Avance changed Castro’s work terms and conditions, stripping her of responsibilities, excluding her from meetings, and assigning unfeasible goals.
The plaintiff, age 60, faults the defendant in setting her up for failure after two decades of employment. She alleges that Avance’s actions directly and proximately caused her humiliation and embarrassment, along with damage to her credibility and prospects for future employment.
Castro seeks declaratory, injunctive, and equitable relief, compensatory, actual and punitive damages, front and back pay and benefits, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney’s fees, expenses, and costs.
She is represented by Ellen Sprovach and Gregg Rosenberg of Rosenberg & Sprovach in Houston.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case 4:15-cv-01707
Suit alleging FMLA violation brought against Avance Inc.
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