Female worker alleges workplace discrimination

A St. Tammany Parish woman has sued her former employer, alleging gender discrimination and harassment.

Shalanda Harding of Slidell filed a lawsuit April 22 in U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana against Huntington Ingalls Industries and Huntington Ingalls Inc. of Baton Rouge, citing violation of her civil rights originating in 2009.

According to the complaint, Harding was subjected to harassment and a hostile work environment, denied promotions and other career opportunities, and ultimately terminated. The suit cites several incidents of harassment in October 2009, March 2010 and thereafter, and Harding alleges the discrimination continued even after her transfer to another facility.

The suit says Harding was advised there would be an investigation against her and she was suspended. She received a certified letter from HR on Nov. 29, 2014, alleging she was refusing to cooperate and was terminated Dec. 3, 2014, without reason, according to the suit.

The complaint cites the defendants for creating, tolerating and condoning pervasive or severe conduct against Harding. The plaintiff alleges race and gender discrimination and retaliation, and cites pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost wages and earning capacity, disfigurement, and impairment and medical expenses.

Harding seeks: declaratory and injunctive relief; compensatory wages and benefits; reinstatement or front pay; punitive damages; attorney fees; expenses and costs.

She is represented by attorney Christopher Williams of Williams Litigation in New Orleans.

U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana case number: 2:15-cv-01309-CJB-KWR.