In a compelling legal battle, a former employee has filed a lawsuit against her previous employer, alleging religious discrimination and retaliation. Kimberly Howard lodged the complaint on December 27, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Transdev Services, Inc., claiming violations under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The case unfolds with Kimberly Howard accusing Transdev Services, Inc. of discriminating against her based on her Jewish faith and retaliating after she reported the discriminatory acts. According to the complaint, Howard was employed as a Fixed Route Driver from September 30, 2024, until her termination on November 12, 2024. She claims that from her first day at work, she faced different terms and conditions compared to other employees who were not part of her protected class. The lawsuit highlights that Howard wore a head covering due to her religious beliefs and was open about her faith, which was known to both the company and its employees.
Howard recounts an incident on November 5, 2024, where she overheard a trainer making derogatory comments about religious head coverings. This led to an uncomfortable confrontation involving another coworker who also wore a head covering for religious reasons. Despite reporting this incident to her supervisor and later attending a meeting with Human Resources (HR), Howard alleges that she was unable to fully express her concerns due to constant interruptions. She accuses Transdev Services of failing to conduct an adequate investigation into her complaints.
Following these events, Howard claims she experienced further discrimination when she and her coworker were placed on administrative leave without clear justification while others not sharing their religious beliefs were treated differently. On November 12, 2024, Howard's employment was terminated without explanation. She asserts that this termination was directly linked to both her religion and her attempts to report discrimination.
Howard seeks various forms of relief from the court including back pay with interest, front pay, compensatory and punitive damages for emotional distress suffered due to alleged humiliation and degradation caused by Transdev's actions. Additionally, she requests reasonable attorney fees and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Kimberly Howard is Nathan C. Volheim from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while details regarding attorneys representing Transdev Services are not specified in the document. The case is presided over in the Northern District of Illinois under Case ID: 3:24-cv-50528.