Supervisor allegedly threw live cockroach on employee, suit claims

Aviation Laboratories employee Christina Jenkins has filed a discrimination lawsuit alleging that a supervisor subjected her to harassment.

According to the complaint filed Jan. 6 in federal court in New Orleans, her on-site supervisor in one instance made her crawl on her hands and knees and bark like a dog so that she could go to her son's award ceremony.

Jenkins claims he also threw a live cockroach on her.

Jenkins, who began working as a data entry clerk in February 2007 and claims she was terminated in June 2010, alleges she was also subjected to continual sexual harassment by the supervisor.

She claims that the supervisor allegedly would call her into his office while he had pornography displayed on his computer screen.

She states the harassment continued in front of other employees and third-parties.

The suit also claims that the supervisor threw liquid nitrogen under the bathroom door while she was inside.

Jenkins reported the abusive behavior and as a result, she states the supervisor began to abuse her even more. In Jenkins' suit, the supervisor is accused of treating another female employee in the same manner as the plaintiff.

Jenkins states she was constructively discharged due to the treatment.

Jenkins claims she began working overtime in her first month of employment and has not been compensated for the overtime.

She is asking the court for an award of liquidated damages, court costs, attorney fees, damages for emotional distress and punitive damages. She also seeks an award of unpaid overtime compensation.

Jenkins is represented by Metairie attorney J. Courtney Wilson.

U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-00028