An Ashley Furniture employee claims her employer violated the Human Rights Act by discriminating against her because of her age.
Debra Frakes filed a lawsuit on Aug. 24 in Madison County Circuit Court against Dufrenese Spencer Group, doing business as Ashley Furniture, and DSG Missouri LLC, also doing business as Ashley Furniture, alleging age discrimination and wrongful treatment at her job over the course of her employment.
According to the complaint, the defendant, a furniture retail operation, hired Frakes on May 11, 2011. She claims the company failed to consider or train her for promotion based on her age (now 61). Instead, she claims the defendant promoted persons outside of the plaintiff’s protected age group who were allegedly less qualified and untrained and permitted employees to make “age critical remarks” to her.
Additionally, the suit states, the defendant not only failed to reimburse the plaintiff for management training testing, but also forced her to give up the training; paid her less than her counterparts; and failed to respond to her complaints to HR regarding age discrimination in the workplace.
Claiming lost wages and humiliation, Frakes seeks judgment in her favor for more than $50,000 plus attorney’s fees and costs. She is represented by Thomas Falb of Williamson, Webster, Falb & Glisson in Alton.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-1081