Villette Hammond has filed a lawsuit against her former employer, a Louisiana-based non-profit organization, alleging sexual harassment and wrongful termination. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on October 30, 2024, naming Westbank ARC, Inc., and Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company as defendants.
Hammond's allegations center around her employment at Westbank ARC, where she worked as a Direct Support Worker (DSW) from August 7, 2023. She claims that during her tenure, she was subjected to repeated sexual harassment by a fellow employee, Dominique Bryant. According to the complaint, Bryant made inappropriate comments and engaged in unwanted physical contact with Hammond. Despite reporting these incidents to her supervisor, Program Director Julia Nickerson, no effective action was taken to address or prevent further harassment.
The situation escalated on June 11, 2024, when Hammond reported the harassment to Nickerson but found herself embroiled in a verbal altercation with Bryant later that day. This incident led to Hammond's suspension and subsequent termination on June 18, which she contends was retaliatory. The lawsuit accuses Westbank ARC of failing to maintain a safe work environment and alleges violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law.
Hammond seeks various forms of relief from the court. She requests a declaratory judgment recognizing the alleged discriminatory practices as unlawful under federal and state laws. Additionally, she is pursuing compensation for lost wages and benefits due to her termination, reinstatement or front pay as an alternative if reinstatement is not feasible, compensatory damages for emotional distress and punitive damages against Westbank ARC for their conduct.
Representing Hammond are attorneys Amanda J. Butler and Megan W. Kelley from Business Law Group LLC in New Orleans. The case is being overseen by an unnamed judge within the Eastern District of Louisiana under Case ID: 24-cv-2578.