HOUSTON – An events and catering manager has sued her former employer over a claim that it fired her right after she took maternity leave for a second time in retaliation.
Loni Dolan filed a lawsuit Jan. 26 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Lasco Enterprises LLC, G and A Partners LTD and G&A Outsourcing IV LLC, alleging a violation of the Pregnancy Act, the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Family Medical Leave Act.
According to the complaint, Dolan took her first maternity leave, which was an unpaid leave and she received short-term disability, on or about Nov. 20, 2013, until on or about Jan. 12, 2014. She went on maternity leave for a second time that ended on or about March 6, 2015, according to the lawsuit.
The suit states that she worked while on FMLA leave. On March 9, 2015, she was told by management that due to an error, she had been paid overtime. The suit states this amount was reversed with her approval. On March 10, 2015, Dolan obtained the medical release to return to work, the suit states.
According to the complaint, on March 11, 2015, she was fired for alleged "deliberate silence" and for failure to "maintain trust" with the company.
She is seeking equitable relief, including back and front pay; punitive damages, liquidated damages, compensatory damages, including emotional distress and attorneys’ fees. Dolan, who is demanding a jury trial, is represented by attorneys Amber L. Karns and Megan M. Mitchell of Starzyk & Associates PC of The Woodlands.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Court case number 4:16-cv-00225