Melanie Maria King-Shaw has filed a lawsuit against her former employer, alleging a series of discriminatory practices and retaliatory actions that culminated in her wrongful termination. The complaint was lodged on January 14, 2025, in the Circuit Court of the 6th Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, targeting Family Support Services of Suncoast, LLC.
King-Shaw's legal battle began after she reported an incident of sexual harassment by a coworker named Jennifer. Despite notifying management about the inappropriate behavior, no disciplinary measures were taken against the accused. This inaction allegedly set off a chain of events leading to King-Shaw's unfair treatment at work. She claims she was burdened with additional tasks outside her job description and faced comments from her manager suggesting she was "making too much money." These incidents are central to her allegations of sex discrimination under the Florida Civil Rights Act (FCRA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The plaintiff's narrative further unfolds with accusations that she was wrongfully terminated based on unfounded claims. She was accused during a Zoom meeting with her supervisor Amber and Director Carlos of telling a foster child to "run" and allowing another child to call her boyfriend "dad," both allegations she denies. Additionally, she was charged with napping during shifts—a practice for which she had prior permission due to extended working hours caused by staff shortages. King-Shaw asserts that similar allowances were made for male colleagues, underscoring her claim of gender-based discrimination.
King-Shaw seeks various forms of relief from the court. She requests declaratory judgments affirming violations of FCRA and Title VII laws by Family Support Services. Additionally, she demands compensatory damages for emotional distress and economic losses resulting from what she describes as a hostile work environment and retaliatory dismissal. Her legal team also seeks injunctive relief to prevent further discriminatory practices by the defendant company.
Represented by attorney Mark S. Edwards from Remer, Georges-Pierre & Hoogerwoerd PLLC, King-Shaw is pursuing justice not only for herself but aims to deter future misconduct within the organization. The case is being presided over under Case Number 25-000150-CI in Pinellas County’s judicial system.