60-Year-Old Employee Allegedly Denied Formal Training While Younger Employees Are Privately Trained

David ManesLawsuits & Press Releases

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Employee Files Lawsuit against Toshiba Corporation for Age Discrimination

Maryann joined the sales department at Toshiba Corporation as a marketing representative in 2008. She recalled that she wasn’t offered any training for the “Salesforce/Touchpoint” software system, but Maryann learned about the software from a coworker. In 2013, Toshiba transferred Maryann to administration.

Once again, Maryann faced no formal training for her new position. When she requested training, her manager allegedly informed her that “there isn’t time to train, just learn from others.” Maryann endeavored to learn the system on her own and frequently asked questions of her manager. According to Maryann, her manager grumped that she was “asking too many questions.” When she requested training, her manager allegedly informed her that “there isn’t time to train, just learn from others.”When Maryann received a write up from her manager for only making 46.5 calls and not the quota of 50 calls, she suspected that she had fallen behind due to Toshiba’s refusal to offer formal training.

Then, in September of 2015, Maryann noticed that younger employees were receiving preferential treatment. According to Maryann, the office manager privately trained the younger employees on the department systems. Maryann, nearing 60 years old, asked if she could also be trained, but her requests continued to be ignored.

The following year, Maryann received the diagnosis of hiatal hernia and required monthly doctor appointments. She requested and received time off according to company policy. However, she received multiple write-ups for her approved time off, faced belittlement, and was accused of improperly working overtime. Maryann submitted a formal complaint to Human Resources about the age discrimination harassment, but her claims were denied. After Maryann submitted a complaint to HR, the discriminatory behavior only intensified.

Despite the harassment and discrimination, Maryann wanted to do well in her job. Of her own initiative, Maryann began taking classes on Microsoft Office, but when she requested to use vacation time to attend these classes, she was not allowed. In February, Maryann was terminated. She recalled that she was not the only older employee to be terminated in a similar manner.

Maryann thinks that Toshiba refused her formal training and terminated her based on her age. Now as a client of KM&A, Maryann chooses to stand up for her employment rights. KM&A advocates on the behalf of men and women like Maryann who suffer discrimination and termination due to their age.

 

Full text of this complaint, as filed with the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, is available at docket no: 2:17-cv-05147-RK

Kraemer, Manes & Associates LLC is an employment law firm with principal offices in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, serving all counties in Pennsylvania, focusing on employment law, business law, litigation, and civil issues. KM&A clients include employees, small businesses, parties in litigation, and people with a variety of legal issues.

For more information about this case, contact Attorney Michelle Dempsky at 215-475-3567 or at md@lawkm.com.

NOTICE: All information contained in this statement comes from the Complaint which has been filed as a public record with the court. As dedicated civil rights attorneys, we strongly believe in the public value of telling our clients’ stories: violators can be held accountable, and other silent victims can feel empowered to stand up for their legal rights. Although we make every attempt to verify our clients’ claims, note that the defendant is expected to oppose our client’s position, and the court has not ruled one way or the other as of the date of this statement.