A Harris County nurse is suing a Pearland-based continuing care provider, alleging unlawful employment practices.
Angela Pace filed a lawsuit Aug. 10 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Cantex Continuing Care Network, alleging violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act.
According to the complaint, Pace, a 55-year-old African-American female, started working for the defendant at The Colonnades at Reflection Bay location in Pearland as a charge nurse in May 2010 and was promoted to a treatment nurse shortly afterward.
The suit says Pace was subjected to a hostile work environment beginning in 2012 after she made reports of racial discrimination. She alleges she wasn't given the same accommodations as white employees when requesting time off to go to the doctor. Moreover, the lawsuit states, discrimination was the reason behind the plaintiff's demotion to an as-needed-nurse in May 2013 as a white nurse remained in the position of treatment nurse and the defendant hired younger and male nurses after her demotion.
The suit says in February 2014 Pace complained of the defendant's failure to promote her to positions that she was qualified for and a short time after she was placed in the position of a full-time nurse. However, this action wasn't done in good faith as there was a shortage of nurse applicants and the defendant didn't pay Pace overtime compensation when she worked more than 40 hours in a given week nor did the defendant pay her when she worked off-the clock, the complaint states.
Pace was also not provided the same support and assistance as was given to other employees to help her complete her daily tasks, the suit says.
The plaintiff alleges the race, sex and age discrimination she experienced led her to endure emotional distress, embarrassment and medical expenses.
Pace seeks lost wages and benefits, back and front pay, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive damages, attorney fees and court costs, and other relief deemed appropriate by the court. She is represented by attorney Chukwudi Egbuonu of the Law Office of Chukwudi Egbuonu in Houston.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas case number 4:15-cv-02288.