Former branch manager of Huntington files lawsuit against bank, alleging Family and Medical Leave Act violations
Huntington Bank Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged FMLA Violation
Terri Estepp, a former branch manager at Huntington Bank, has filed a lawsuit against the bank, claiming that she was wrongfully terminated in retaliation for taking leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to care for her dying daughter.
The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division, alleges that Huntington Bank violated the FMLA by firing Estepp just ten days after she returned from a four-week leave to care for her daughter, Samantha, who passed away last year due to breast cancer.
Before her leave, Estepp's branch was the number one performer in the country, and her personnel file spanned nearly 30 years with no performance write-ups or indications of failures. However, the district manager's emotional reaction was described as "strange" by Estepp's attorney, Prescott, if plans to terminate Estepp were already in place.
According to the lawsuit, Estepp requested an extension of her leave due to her daughter's worsening condition, but was fired by her district manager instead. The district manager re-credentialed Estepp to access personal customer information before her return from leave, adding to the confusion surrounding the termination.
Estepp alleges that she was never given a specific reason for her termination, despite asking for one. A Huntington Bank spokesperson stated that the bank does not comment on active litigation, but added that the bank is committed to compliance with all employment laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act. The bank spokesperson also extended condolences to Estepp and her family over the passing of her daughter.
The case has drawn public attention and backlash toward Huntington Bank for firing an employee amid such personal hardship. The bank spokesperson also stated that the bank acted appropriately in this matter. However, without further details from the court docket or filings, it is unclear what the current legal status of the lawsuit is.
The lawsuit highlights the importance of the FMLA, which is designed to protect employees who take leave for serious family health issues. It serves as a reminder for employers to be mindful of their obligations under the law and to treat employees with compassion and fairness during difficult times.
- The legislation surrounding health-and-wellness, specifically the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), is crucial in ensuring employers provide workers with necessary leave during family health crises.
- In light of the FMLA violation lawsuit filed against Huntington Bank, the case serves as a lesson on workplace-wellness, urging companies to remember their duties under the law and show sensitivity towards employees experiencing personal hardships.
- The controversy surrounding the firing of Terri Estepp after she took leave under the FMLA to care for her dying daughter raises questions about the policies and legislations in place to safeguard employee rights in crime-and-justice or general-news contexts.
- As therapies-and-treatments for various diseases continue to evolve, the need for understanding and empathy in the workplace becomes even more critical, as demonstrated in the Huntington Bank FMLA lawsuit, which sheds light on the intersection of politics, policy-and-legislation, and individual wellbeing.
