HOUSTON — A former Hormel Foods employee has filed a suit against the company alleging age discrimination.
William Baker filed a complaint Feb. 1 in Harris County District Court against Hormel Foods Sales LLC alleging violation of the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act.
Baker worked in sales for Fontanini Foods which was acquired by Hormel in August of 2017, according to his complaint. He alleges that following the acquisition, he began to report to area manager Michelle Newman and that she told him his work "was a young person's job" and continually asked him when he would be retiring. Baker further alleges that Newman stated she was "developing young people" and that she hoped he was in a good financial position so he "didn't have to work until he was 70" and that at a November 2018 national sales meeting, company executives "stressed the development of young talent." Baker, who was 61 at the time, claims since he did not retire, Newman "manufactured" stories about customer complaints against him and on March 8, 2019, fired him over false complaints from distributors. In addition, Baker claims he was one of nine employees ages 50's - 60's who were fired the years following Hormel's acquisition.
Baker seeks monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by Samantha Martinez of The Martinez Firm PLLC in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2021-08629