A St. John the Baptist Parish woman is suing a Parish of East Baton Rogue business, alleging unfair treatment in the workplace led to her termination.
Eurika Stemley filed the suit Sept. 22 in U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana against Greif Inc. and Robert Steward, the plaintiff's supervisor and the manager of her work location.
Stemley was hired Feb. 8, 2008, to work at the defendant's St. Rose site. In 2013, after being promoted several times, the plaintiff became a lead, supervising three people, all males, the suit says.
Shortly thereafter, the complaint states, an employee, James Manshach, began belittling and harassing Stemley, because, he said, she is a woman, and refused to do as she ordered (as his supervisor). After discussing this matter with several supervisors, and receiving no relief, the plaintiff filed a grievance July 31, 2014, because she had been suspended for refusing to follow an improper procedure, the suit says.
On Aug. 4, she received a letter of termination and she filed for unemployment benefits, the suit says. Within a month, Stemley learned the defendant had contested her unemployment benefits and she filed an appeal.
On Oct. 14, 2014, the plaintiff filed a charge of discrimination against Greif Inc. and Steward, also charging retaliation against her because of her gender. On Oct. 13, she received a second termination letter, the suit says.
Stemley seeks lost wages, compensatory damages damages, attorney fees and a trial by jury. She is represented by attorney Nghana Lewis Gauff of LaPlace.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana case number 2:15-cv-04596-NJB-DEK.