A former employee has filed a lawsuit against her previous employer, alleging discrimination and wrongful termination. Jennifer Engelsma filed the complaint in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, on November 27, 2024, against Encino Environmental Services, LLC.
The case centers around allegations of disability and gender discrimination under multiple laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Texas Labor Code, and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Engelsma claims that she was discriminated against due to her disabilities—Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and anxiety—which were known to Encino at the time of her hiring. Despite her qualifications and experience in oil and gas air permitting and regulatory support, Engelsma alleges that she faced a hostile work environment where male colleagues used aggressive language towards her and refused to follow her instructions as their supervisor. She also asserts that Encino's management did not hold these male employees accountable for their behavior.
Engelsma recounts an incident where after receiving her mother's ashes in the mail following a long day at work, she requested a day off but was denied by Encino's CEO Scott McCurdy. During a meeting with McCurdy where she sought help for her workload and mental health struggles, he allegedly responded with aggression. This led to further exacerbation of Engelsma’s PTSD symptoms. Subsequently, McCurdy suggested that she take FMLA leave but before she could return from this leave, she was terminated from her position.
Engelsma is seeking various forms of relief from the court including back pay, front pay, compensatory damages for emotional distress, punitive damages due to alleged malice or reckless indifference by Encino towards her rights, as well as attorney’s fees and costs. She argues that Encino's actions have caused significant pecuniary losses such as lost wages and benefits along with non-pecuniary losses like damage to personal reputation and increased stress.
Representing Jennifer Engelsma is attorney Justin L. Jeter from Jeter Melder LLP based in Dallas, Texas. The case is being heard in Harris County District Court under Case ID 2024-83818.