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Former jail sergeant sues alleging discrimination
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A former Allegheny County Jail sergeant sued the county Thursday saying she was not allowed to return to work with physical restrictions, possibly due to her race and gender.
Monica Green, 40, is a black woman who was injured off the job in 2010, the lawsuit said.
Throughout 2011 she sought to return to work with a doctor's note restricting her to sedentary duty, according to the complaint by attorney Susan Mahood. Jail management denied her that opportunity, even after she noted that white males had been allowed to work sedentary jobs following injuries, according to the complaint.
Ms. Green was fired in January 2012 for "job abandonment," according to the complaint.
"You get fired for job abandonment when you've continuously asked to come back," said Ms. Mahood. "The poor woman is working three jobs now."
Ms. Green is suing the county, deputy warden William Emerick and personnel manager Lynda Pastor, saying they violated her civil rights. She seeks a return to work as a sergeant as well as compensatory and punitive damages.
A county spokeswoman said the county doesn't comment on litigation.
First Published February 1, 2013 12:00 am
