BECKLEY -- A former maid is suing a hotel, alleging termination for being elderly.
Martha Shumate filed a lawsuit May 22 in Raleigh Circuit Court against Summit Hotel TRS 004, doing business as Country Inn and Suites, and Aundreasha C. Carden.
According to the complaint, Shumate, 74, who worked in housekeeping for Country Inn in Beckley for 17 years, was terminated shortly after a new manager came aboard for "failing to change out some bedding." The suit says before being fired, Shumate had received nothing but positive performance reviews.
When Shumate told the manager that she depended on the income and was being treated unjustly, the suit says she was told, "Don't you collect Social Security? You should be OK."
The plaintiff alleges age discrimination and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Shumate seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, court costs and attorney fees. She is represented by attorneys Stephen B. Farmer and Matthew H. Nelson of Farmer, Cline & Campbell in Morgantown.
Raleigh Circuit Court case number 15C411.