Woman sues her former employer for wrongful termination

A Bowie woman claims she was fired from Healthcare Services Group for reporting a co-worker's sexually inappropriate behavior.

Janice Waltman filed a wrongful termination lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Healthcare Services Group Inc. on Feb. 6.

According to Waltman, she began working as a housekeeper at New Boston Nursing Center in May 2009.

In 2011 New Boston contracted out its housekeeping work to HSG. Waltman says she continued to work at New Boston and kept her same job as a housekeeper/supervisor, but at that time became an employee of HSG.

On March 7, 2012, Waltman says she was working on an all night project with a co-worker, Howard Judd, at New Boston. Waltman claims while on a break she, Judd and three New Boston residents were engaged in conversation when Judd started telling lewd stories.

Waltman says she and the other New Boston members were offended by Judd's stories.

Waltman claims she reported the incident to the germane member of HSG and New Boston the next day. Judd was allegedly banned from New Boston, but still worked at HSG.

According to the suit, on March 20, Waltman claims she had trouble punching into her shift at New Boston and Judd called her to see why she hadn't punched in.

Waltman alleges Judd yelled at her and she hung up the phone.

On March 27, 2012, Judd allegedly terminated Waltman for hanging up on him.

Waltman however claims she was terminated for reporting Judd's allegedly crude stories, which amounts to discrimination.

Waltman is seeking an undisclosed amount in damages.

She is being represented by attorneys Nellie G. Hooper and Dorotha M. Ocker of Blanscet Hooper & Hale LLP in Addison.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Case No. 14-CV-00079

 

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.