FORT MYERS – A registered nurse care coordinator has filed suit against her former employer alleging retaliation for filing a complaint.
Marilyn Hawkins filed a complaint on May 2 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division against Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. MacDonald alleging violation of the Civil Rights Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff worked for the Veterans Affairs clinic in Lee County. She alleges that on Oct. 14, 2014, she filed a complaint regarding ongoing workplace harassment. For doing so, she alleges she was transferred to another location and began being subjected to greater scrutiny. On Jan. 3, 2015, she claims she was forced to resign in lieu of termination, effective Jan. 4, 2015. As a proximate result, she purportedly lost all her benefits and privileges and suffered humiliation and emotional distress. The plaintiff holds Robert A. McDonald responsible because her former supervisor allegedly created a hostile work environment, retaliated against her for filing a complaint and recommended her termination.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks an injunctive relief directing defendant to cease and desist from all retaliation against employees engaged in protected activities, compensation for all damages, attorney's fees and costs and such other relief as the court may deem just and proper. She is represented by Benjamin H. Yormak of Yormak Employment & Disability Law in Bonita Springs.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division Case number 2:16-cv-00328