Apple is being sued by a former retail store employee for discrimination after the employee sought the services of a mental health professional during a leave of absence. Did you know that the Silenced No More Act of 2021 bans non-disclosure agreements about workplace discrimination? The protected classes include age, gender, disability, and more. Workers who were unfairly treated or fired should consult with an attorney for wrongful termination and take legal action.

[ad#Google Adsense 300×250 in story]According to the lawsuit filed in the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, the plaintiff, Nicole Sutton was working at Apple’s SoHo retail store in 2008. She received “superlative” reviews and was promoted to visual coordinator, which means she designed the “look” of the store.

Everything appeared to be going fine for Sutton until April 2009. It was at this point that Sutton took a leave of absence due to a nervous disorder and sought the services of a psychiatrist.

Sutton says that Apple promised her medical condition would not be disclosed to company employees, but upon her return, she said the Human Resources Manager clearly knew.

According to the lawsuit, Sutton’s job was not saved for her, even though Apple said it would be. Sutton applied for a “genius admin” position in the SoHo store, but didn’t get the job. When she asked why, she says Apple told her “there were questions about her mental stability.”

After not being assigned any work by the company, Sutton says she asked to be considered for a position in Chicago where she would move to be closer to her parents. She moved, but did not get that position either.

Sutton is asking for “appropriate” pay and punitive damages of $300,000.