A former employee of a head start program and family services center accuses her supervisors of age and racial discrimination and claims she was terminated in retaliation for reporting alleged violations of state and federal laws.
Jeanne Edwards, 62, filed suit in Madison County Circuit Court against Riverbend Head Start and Family Services in Alton following the termination of her employment. She alleges violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
In her complaint, Edwards claims she witnessed various incidents violating the Illinois health and Safety Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), criminal acts, and "multiple other laws."
Incidents she claims occurred include battery by children against teachers, the discovery of a machete in the garden of the center that had not been reported to the police, the use of the racist names, and children being allowed to leave the building.
Edwards accuses the center of age and racial discrimination, and that she was the victim of retaliation for reporting what the complaint describes as "illegal activity."
Riverbend, which is located on Landmarks Boulevard, did not respond to calls from the Record asking for a response to the allegations contained in the complaint. However, reviews on social media and other internet forums are overwhelmingly positive.
In her complaint, Edwards, who is African American, claims she was subjected to a hostile work environment and harassment prior to her termination due to her age and race.
The plaintiff also alleges that she reported the harassment to supervisors and filed charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Rights.
While no specific instances of harassment are detailed in the complaint, Edwards claims that the "termination from her employment...is casually related to reports and complaints of illegal activity to her supervisors."