Worker claims boss compared her to his wife

Hornbeck Offshore Operators employee Tammy Roblez claims she was terminated after complaining about a hostile work environment, according to a lawsuit filed Nov. 5 in federal court in New Orleans.

Roblez claims a supervisor screamed at her about how she reminded him of his wife. She also claims project manager supervisors would use offensive language.

Roblez began working at Hornbeck as a "temp to hire" in December 2007 and was hired as a permanent employee in November 2008. She states she was terminated on July 29, 2009, several days after making a formal harassment complaint.

In the formal complaint, Roblez complained of being harassed by project managers, of being exposed to an unbearable hostile work environment that involved derogatory comments and that she feared reporting the harassment would cause her to lose her job.

Shortly after making the complaint, Roblez was called into the human resources office and terminated for making an error on a time sheet, the suit claims.

Roblez claims the accusation is either untrue or grossly unfair as other employees have made similar errors and were given the opportunity to correct the errors.

She also states the termination did not follow Hornbeck's progressive discipline policy and evaluation policy.

She claims Hornbeck is liable due to the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law.

Roblez is seeking damages for front and back pay including benefits, mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses, interest, punitive damages, attorney's fees and court costs.

She is represented by New Orleans attorneys James L. Arruebarrena and Rachel Martin-Deckelmann. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Ivan L. R. Lemelle is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:10-cv-04254