A former employee has taken legal action against a major logistics company, alleging discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Iryna Slizhova filed a complaint against DSV Air & Sea, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on October 16, 2024. The lawsuit claims that DSV Air & Sea engaged in sex-based and national origin-based discrimination, harassment, and retaliation against Slizhova during her employment.
Slizhova's complaint outlines a series of grievances she faced while working as an Air Export Coordinator at DSV Air & Sea from July 2011 until her termination on October 19, 2023. She alleges that her supervisor, Alaina, displayed animosity towards her due to her Belarusian national origin and marital status. According to Slizhova, Alaina mocked her accent and made defamatory remarks about her personal life, including unfounded claims about infidelity in her first marriage. "Alaina’s discriminatory and harassing conduct was meant to create a hostile work environment that no reasonable individual could withstand," states the complaint.
The situation reportedly worsened when another manager, Roop Mane, subjected Slizhova to sexual harassment by making inappropriate comments and propositions. Despite declining Mane's advances and attempting to avoid him, Slizhova feared reporting his behavior due to potential retaliation. The complaint also highlights that after Slizhova's termination under the pretext of downsizing, she discovered Mane had been terminated for similar misconduct with another female employee.
Slizhova argues that DSV Air & Sea failed to address these issues despite being aware of them through their agents' actions. She claims she was treated less favorably than male employees or those outside her protected classes and was ultimately replaced by a less qualified male candidate after being denied reemployment opportunities within the company.
In seeking justice, Slizhova requests various forms of relief from the court. These include back pay with interest, front pay, compensatory and punitive damages for emotional distress suffered due to discrimination and harassment, as well as attorneys’ fees and costs associated with the case.
Representing Slizhova is attorney Mohammed O. Badwan from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., based in Lombard, Illinois. The case is identified as Case No: 1:24-cv-10434 in front of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.