News

Dairy Queen franchisee sued for civil rights violation

October 27, 2011

Food Service Holdings Ltd., a Huntington, Texas-based Dairy Queen franchisee, has been accused of violating civil rights in a lawsuit filed by a 17-year-old former employee who claimed to be sexually harassed by a coworker.

The employee's guardian, Kathryn McCauley, filed the suit Oct. 17 in the Esatern District of Texas, Lufkin Division, according to the South East Texas Record.

The employee was allegedly subjected to discrimination based on her sex, including sexual harassment, and retaliation for reporting the incidents. The suit claims the minor was subjected to a hostile work environment by a coworker and was told that coworker would be fired after a 30-day probationary period.

However, she was never fired. Instead, the minor was scheduled minimally and eventually terminated for allegedly failing to show up for work. The plaintiff claims she was not scheduled to work on the date in question.

She is seeking damages for mental anguish, lost wages, fringe benefits, punitive damages, attorney's fees, court costs and interest.

A jury trial has been requested.

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