Heritage Park hospital employee claims termination due to reporting 'sexually hostile' workplace

SHERMAN - A Grayson County woman has filed a discrimination lawsuit against her former employer claiming she was fired for reporting a sexually hostile work environment. 

Tia M. Gray filed suit against Grayson County Physicians Property LLC, doing business as  Heritage Park Surgical Hospital, on April 17 in the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division.

Gray was employed by the defendant at Heritage Park from Nov. 1, 2010, through her termination on Feb. 21, 2012. She claims that during her employment she was subjected to a sexually hostile work environment that was severe and pervasive and negatively interfered with the performance of her job duties.

According to the suit, Gray claims she reported the hostilities in her working environment to the company's chief executive officer in early January 2012.

She alleges that she was retaliated against and ultimately written up because she reported the sexually hostile environment.

On Feb. 21, 2012, Gray also injured her back while pushing heavy equipment and reported the injury to her manager. She was presented with two written warnings to sign and then her employment was terminated.

The defendant is accused of discrimination and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and discrimination under the Texas Labor Code.

The plaintiff is seeking an award of damages for back pay and front pay, lost benefits, mental anguish damages, punitive damages, attorney’s fees, court costs and interest.

Gray is represented by Plano attorney Laura E. Calhoun.  A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Ron Clark is assigned to the case.

Case No. 4:13-cv-00223