Spring woman claims she lost managerial position for speaking out on salary disparity

HOUSTON - Alleging Tyco Integrated Security LLC fired her for complaining about salary disparity, Spring resident Dawn Singleton has filed a lawsuit.

Recent court papers filed Sept. 3 in Houston federal court assert Tyco terminated Singleton in February 2012 as a form of retaliation.

The plaintiff had worked for the company since 2004, most recently as a commercial sales manager (CSM).

Singleton, an African American, claims that in late 2011, she learned that she and the other black CSM in Texas "were paid less than all other CSMs" in the state.

According to the suit, the women's white male counterparts were paid more, and despite raising the issue with her boss on four separate occasions, Singleton "was never given a legitimate explanation for the difference."

Instead, the original petition states, Singleton's boss "treated the plaintiff more harshly and with a greater lack of respect than he had done before."

The complainant alleges that the defendant made her do tasks which are normally the responsibility of the warehouse staff and even became angry with her when she had to take a few half days to visit her cancer-stricken father, according to the suit.

Singleton also alleges that the company was displeased with the fact she was pursuing a graduate degree from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. Tyco "would also intentionally schedule afternoon assignments for the plaintiff on the days when (it) knew that (she) had classes later in the same evening," the suit says.

She was dismissed from the company on Feb. 15, 2012, about a month after the fourth instance she complained about the disputed disparity in pay.

A jury trial is requested.

Attorney Mark G. Lazarz of Shellist Lazarz Slobin LLP in Houston is representing the plaintiff.

Case No. 4:13-CV-2581