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LOUISIANA RECORD

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Former Employee Alleges Age Discrimination Against Office Supply Company

Federal Court
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A seasoned employee alleges age discrimination in a lawsuit against his former employer, accusing them of unlawful termination and harassment. Jimmy Yates filed the complaint on October 21, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana against Pettus Office Products of Louisiana, LLC.

The case centers around Jimmy Yates, a 76-year-old resident of Bossier Parish, Louisiana, who claims he was wrongfully terminated from his long-term employment at Pettus Office Supplies due to age discrimination. According to the complaint, Yates began working for Pettus Supplies' predecessor company in 1972 and had maintained an exemplary record throughout his tenure. However, starting in 2022, Lynn Pettus of Pettus Supplies allegedly began pressuring Yates about his retirement plans. This pressure culminated in a meeting on February 9, 2023, where Yates was informed that it would be his last day at work. During this meeting, Mr. Pettus reportedly stated to Mr. Yates that "No one works to your age in this business," which Yates found offensive given his five decades of service.

Yates contends that no other employees were subjected to similar inquiries or harassment regarding their retirement plans. Following his termination, Yates was supervising a project at the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court's office when dissatisfaction with the project's progress arose after his departure. Although contacted by Pettus Supplies to assist with the project post-termination, Mr. Pettus later intervened to prevent Yates from returning even as a consultant.

The complaint also accuses Pettus Supplies of withholding commissions owed to Yates for completed projects as retaliation for not retiring when pressured by Mr. Pettus. This alleged failure to pay violates Louisiana state law (La. R.S. 23:631), according to Yates' claims.

In response to these actions and alleged violations under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and corresponding state laws (La. R.S. 23:312), Yates seeks declaratory relief from the court declaring these practices illegal and discriminatory. He is also pursuing injunctive relief preventing further discrimination based on age and monetary compensation including back pay with interest, compensatory damages under federal and state statutes mentioned above as well as attorney fees associated with this legal action.

Representing Jimmy Yates are attorneys Allison A. Jones and Zachary B. Mayfield from Downer, Jones, Marino & Wilhite LLC based out of Shreveport, Louisiana.

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