LUFKIN - An assistant manager for a Wendy's restaurant has filed a gender and age discrimination lawsuit, claiming she was forced to quit when upper management wouldn't stop the harassment.
Cathy Gilder filed suit against LaTrelle's Management, which operates a Wendy's in Lufkin, on Dec. 22 in the Eastern District of Texas, Lufkin Division.
According to the lawsuit, Gilder is a 57-year-old, African-American, female. She was hired by the defendant in November 2006 to work as an assistant manager.
She states that the restaurant's manager subjected her to unwanted sexual harassment and age discrimination. Gilder claims she complained to higher management about her treatment but nothing was done and the harassment continued.
Gilder states that she was constructively discharged when the treatment she was subjected to forced her to resign, according to the suit.
The defendant is accused of discrimination based on Gilder's race, age and sex; sexual harassment; and retaliation.
The plaintiff is asking the court for an award of damages for back pay and front pay, mental, emotional and psychological damages, punitive damages, liquidated damages, attorney fees, court costs and interest.
A jury trial is requested.
Gilder is represented by Alex A. Castetter of Stuckey, Garrigan & Castetter Law Offices in Nacogdoches.
U.S. District Judge Ron Clark is assigned to the case.
Case No. 9:11-cv-00207