CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A former senior loan officer for Navy FCU claims in an age discrimination suit filed in federal court last week that she was forced into early retirement by an antagonistic branch manager.
In her suit, Marcella Simmons, who retired at 59 in January 2009 after 20 years with the credit union, claims that after the new manager took over her branch in December 2008 many of her duties were reassigned to younger, less experienced employees and she was the target of comments such as needing "new and fresh ideas." Simmons claims she was forced into early retirement by the branch manager by intimidation and harassment.
The suit claims the loan officer was denied the same benefits and pay as similar, younger employees, and was forced to retire and is asking for back pay and damages.
The civil suit follows the filing of an age discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
A representative for Navy FCU said the credit union does not comment on pending litigation.
