SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

SHERMAN-A temporary 52-year old Frito Lay employee has filed suit against the company alleging he was a victim of age and gender discrimination.

Claiming violations of the age discrimination act, Ismail B. Dhanani filed suit against Frito Lay Inc. on Nov. 15 in the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division.

Dhanani was hired as a temporary employee to perform accounting work for the defendant's Financial Shared Services department from February to October 2008.

During his temporary assignment, several permanent positions in the department became available. Dhanani states he expressed his interest in obtaining a permanent position on at least five occasions. He states his supervisor stated that the positions required a Certified Public Accountant qualification.

However, Dhanani argues that the defendant hired a 23-year-old female who was not a CPA.

In a separate position, Dhanani claims his supervisor stated that Dhanani would not like the salary offered for any of these positions.

The plaintiff claims all the available positions were given to females under the age of 40.

The defendant is accused of violating the Age Discrimination Act and Dhanani's civil rights by discriminating on the basis of gender.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for back pay, front pay, pecuniary losses, emotional pain and suffering, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment of life, punitive damages, attorney's fees and court costs.

Dhanani is acting as his own attorney and has requested a jury trial.

U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider is assigned to the case.

Case No. 4:10-cv-00627