An Illinois caregiver has taken her employer to court over alleged violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Kenyetta Harris filed a lawsuit against Crystal Home Health Care, LLC in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on November 5, 2024. The case centers around accusations that the company interfered with Harris's FMLA rights and retaliated against her for attempting to utilize those rights.
Harris, who began working as a caregiver for Crystal Home Health Care in December 2021, claims she was wrongfully terminated after requesting leave to care for her father, who suffers from dementia. According to the complaint, Harris informed her employer of her need for leave in October 2023 but received no guidance or acknowledgment regarding her FMLA rights. Instead of receiving support or approval for her leave, Harris alleges that her request was ignored entirely.
Upon returning from caring for her father in January 2024, Harris discovered she had been terminated due to alleged absenteeism. The complaint states that Crystal Home Health Care failed to provide any written or verbal notice about her employment status during this period. Moreover, when Harris requested documentation of her termination to apply for government assistance, the company instead offered her a different position rather than reinstating her original role.
The lawsuit accuses Crystal Home Health Care of unlawful interference with Harris's FMLA rights and retaliatory termination. It highlights the company's failure to inform Harris about FMLA protections and requirements, which constitutes a violation under federal law. "Defendant acted in willful and reckless disregard of Plaintiff’s protected rights," reads the complaint.
Harris seeks various forms of relief from the court, including back pay with interest, compensatory and punitive damages, loss of benefits compensation, front pay, and reasonable attorneys' fees. She also demands a jury trial to resolve these issues.
Representing Kenyetta Harris is attorney Chad W. Eisenback from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., based in Lombard, Illinois. The case is presided over by judges at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois under Case ID: 1:24-cv-11430.