Sales rep claims job caused post traumatic stress disorder

A regional sales representative for Professional Marketing Services Inc. (PMSI) claims to have suffered from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after hearing a supervisor make a recently terminated co-worker beg for her job back.

Claiming violations of her civil rights, Greta A. Laborde filed suit against PMSI on Nov. 23 in federal court in New Orleans.

In the lawsuit, Laborde claims the company's senior vice president of field sales had a sexist attitude which resulted in the termination of several female subordinate employees.

She claims that on the morning of June 18 she was traveling with the supervisor when he made a call to the human resources department regarding the termination of another female employee. Laborde states that as she drove the vehicle, the supervisor kept calling the recently terminated employee, placing her on speaker phone and making the employee cry, beg and plead for her job.

Laborde claims she reported the incident to the company's human resources department. After the incident, Laborde states she suffered from severe anxiety, depression and panic attacks and was diagnosed with PTSD. She claims she was admitted for inpatient treatment at River Oaks for seven weeks. She states her psychologist continues to advise her that she should not return to work.

Laborde claims the actions by PMSI and its employees constitute gender discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

She is seeking damages for back pay and benefits, loss of professional reputation, personal humiliation, mental anguish, anxiety, hurt feelings, loss of enjoyment of life, past and future economic losses, interest, attorney's fees and court costs.

Laborde is represented by Covington attorney Dale E. Williams. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:10-cv-04399