Last February, Tampa City Council voted to pay a $350,000 settlement to Scarlett Lopez for pregnancy and disability-related discrimination and retaliation claims against her former boss. Lopez’ lawsuit accused Jean Duncan, administrator of the city’s troubled mobility department. This month, the same council voted to award Duncan with a commendation upon her retirement.
Duncan gave Lopez bad performance ratings and demoted her after she had to take leave due to a medically complicated pregnancy and other medical conditions, Lopez’ lawsuit says. Lopez complained about discrimination, and the suit alleges that Duncan retaliated by ensuring Lopez was terminated and not rehired.
Duncan’s daughter-in-law, like Lopez, was employed in the mobility department and took leave for her pregnancy. Unlike Lopez, she was granted leave, and was not penalized for use of leave on her performance review…