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FLORIDA RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Former employee accuses insurance firm of age discrimination

Discrimination 12

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CLEARWATER — A former employee is suing an insurance company, alleging age discrimination and gender discrimination.

Linda Shaffer filed a complaint March 13 in Pinellas County Circuit Court against Independent Administrative Services, LLC and Amerilife Group, LLC , alleging violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Equal Pay Act and the Florida Civil Rights Act.

According to the complaint, Shaffer, in her mid-50s, started work for the defendant in February. 2012. On Oct. 11, 2016, Shaffer says, she was abruptly fired without prior notice. 

Shaffer alleges she was originally offered the position of assistant vice president but the defendants gave her the title "account manager" even though she was performing the vice president's role. During her employment. Shaffer says. she experienced the discriminatory attitude of the defendants’ management that permits harassment and disparate treatment of women in the workplace, and by how management responds to women who complain of discrimination. 

The plaintiff alleges the defendants fired her despite her statutorily protected activity and/or age or gender and failed to follow the company’s progressive discipline policy regarding convincing evidence of discrimination.

Shaffer seeks trial by jury, liquidated damages of at least $15,000, compensatory, exemplary and punitive damages, attorney fees, court costs, interest, and any further relief the court deems just and proper. She is represented by attorneys Jay P. Lechner and Jason M. Melton of Whittel & Melton, LLC in St. Petersburg.

Pinellas County Circuit Court case number 18CA001653

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