HOUSTON — The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is facing a suit alleging sexual harassment and discrimination.
Jennifer Zermeno filed a complaint Sept. 26 in Harris County District Court against Texas Department of Family and Protective Services alleging sex discrimination, sexual harassment and violation of the Texas Equal Pay Act.
Zermeno worked for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services for more than 12 years, according to her complaint. She claims that in May of 2018, she earned a promotion and shortly after the promotion, informed her supervisor that she was being underpaid and was making $63,104 per year instead of the defendant's minimum base pay rate of $72,000 per year.
Zermeno also claims that she suffered unsolicited sexual advances by her supervisor including the supervisor becoming intoxicated during a conference and calling her to inform her he was naked in his hotel room and asked her to join him. She also alleges the supervisor followed her to her car and tried to hug her and that her rejections to his advances led to her suffering retaliation.
Zermeno seeks monetary relief between $250,000 and $1 million, interest and all other just relief. She is represented by Attorney Ahad Khan in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2021-62205