A federal appeals court on Tuesday reversed a lower court ruling and reinstated age discrimination and retaliation claims filed by a fired postal worker.
The United States Postal Service hired Anastasia Nedd Allen as a city carrier assistant in April 2018, when she was 53, subject to a 90-day probationary period, according to the ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans in Anastasia Nedd Allen v. United States Postal Service, Louis DeJoy, Postmaster General.
Ms. Allen filed suit against the post office in U.S. District Court in New Orleans charging age discrimination and retaliation. The district court granted the post office summary judgment dismissing the case.
Its ruling was overturned by a three-judge appeals court panel. While post office supervisors reported deficiencies on Ms. Allen’s part, her evidence “tells a different story,” that includes reports of mail being hidden from her, not being given a key to open mail receptacles, and of her supervisors making negative remarks about her age and treating a younger carrier more favorably.
