HOUSTON – A former Rice University program adviser alleges she was terminated after requesting a medical leave.
Cylette Willis-Sass filed a complaint on Aug. 15 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Rice University citing the Family and Medical Leave Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff was employed by the defendant as an online education program director and later promoted to senior academic design adviser on July 1. The suit states she requested FMLA paperwork and a leave and was terminated on July 7. She alleges she was terminated with no disciplinary action or legitimate investigation.
The plaintiff holds Rice University responsible because the defendant allegedly subjected her to adverse employment actions and retaliated against her by terminating her employment for engaging in protected activity.
The plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, costs and attorney’s fees and such other just and proper relief. She is represented by Ellen Sprovach of Rosenberg & Sprovach in Houston.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case number 4:17-cv-02497