A former employee has filed a lawsuit against her previous employer, alleging a range of discriminatory practices and harassment that ultimately led to her termination. Linda Chavez initiated the complaint against Aurora Packing Company, Inc., on December 31, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The suit accuses the company of race-based discrimination, harassment, and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and age discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
Linda Chavez, a 68-year-old Caucasian woman who worked in the Shipping and Export Department at Aurora Packing Company from October 2023 until her termination in October 2024, claims she was subjected to severe harassment and discrimination based on her race, national origin, sex, and age. According to Chavez's complaint, her supervisor Martin Barrera targeted her with derogatory remarks about her ethnicity and age. Barrera allegedly referred to Chavez as "the güera" (the white person) and questioned her cultural identity due to her marriage to a Mexican man. He also made ageist comments such as calling her "la viejita" (the old woman), undermining her professional capabilities.
Chavez further alleges that this toxic work environment extended beyond verbal abuse. She claims she was required to wear full personal protective equipment despite having primarily office-based duties—a requirement not imposed on other employees—and was given excessive workloads just before lunch breaks. Additionally, when she reported these issues to HR representative Yajaira Chaidez in early 2024, no action was taken; instead, Barrera's behavior reportedly worsened.
The lawsuit details numerous instances where male colleagues disrespected Chavez with offensive remarks or actions condoned by management. For example, foreman Johnny Crutcher allegedly called Chavez a "stupid old lady," while another employee mocked her as "the servant." After an injury at work in May 2024, which resulted in lifting restrictions from her doctor, Chavez faced further discrimination when told she could not work overtime until resolving her workers' compensation case—a restriction not applied to younger injured employees.
Chavez argues that these incidents culminated in unlawful termination after attending forklift training—training that Barrera initially denied but later allowed after HR intervention. Despite successfully completing the training on October 23rd, she was fired the following day for alleged phone usage policy violations without prior warnings or misconduct evidence.
In response to these allegations of racial discrimination under Title VII and age-related bias under ADEA laws among others cited throughout ten counts within this filing—Chavez seeks back pay with interest; front pay; compensatory damages including loss benefits alongside punitive measures against Aurora Packing Company Inc.; reasonable attorney fees/costs plus any additional relief deemed appropriate by court judgment presided over Judge Nathan C Volheim Esq., representing Sulaiman Law Group Ltd Lombard IL handling Case ID:1:24-cv-13407