TAMPA – A Hillsborough County employer is accused of harassment and wrongful termination of a female employee after her return from approved leaves of absence.
Charyse Wilkerson filed a complaint on May 10 in the Tampa Division of the Middle District of Florida against Zenith Education Group Inc. alleging that the employer violated the Family and Medical Leave Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that she was demoted twice upon her returning from maternity leave on Feb. 17, 2015, and after another FMLA leave in May 2015. On Dec. 3, 2015, when she was scheduled to return from an FMLA leave, the suit states she was terminated from work. The plaintiff holds Zenith Education Group Inc. responsible because the defendant allegedly interfered with her rights and retaliated against her for exercising her rights and took no remedial action in response to her complaints of harassment.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks an injunction restraining defendant from continued violation of FMLA, compensation for lost wages and benefits, liquidated damages, attorney's fees and costs and for such other relief as the court may deem just and proper. She is represented by Luis A. Cabassa and Elizabeth A. Fontugne of Wenzel Fenton Cabassa PA in Tampa.
Tampa Division of the Middle District of Florida Case number 8:16-cv-01168