Anheuser-Busch Settles Worker’s Retaliation Lawsuit

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Anheuser-Busch will settle a worker’s retaliation lawsuit in which an employee alleged she was removed from her union steward duties after she filed for workers’ compensation and complained about discrimination. The original claim included allegations of gender bias, workplace retaliation and workers’ compensation retaliation, but failed to meet appropriate workers’ compensation retaliation deadlines. That claim was dismissed, but Anheuser-Busch has agreed to settle the remaining claims.

Case background

The plaintiff, Mary Behnke, sued the company in August 2021. She alleged she was subjected to gender-based harassment when she was working as a quality assurance analyst. According to Behnke, a male co-worker mocked her for having a baby out of wedlock and compared her to his teenage daughter, but the union ignored her reports.

Furthermore, Behnke was hospitalized after the company cleaned above her desk, which released chemicals, dust and other particles. This caused breathing problems; Behnke alleged that it was an OSHA violation and filed a complaint accordingly.

Finally, Behnke filed for workers’ compensation, which was approved—but she was then written up while performing union steward duties on the job and stripped of her union steward title. Other employees were not disciplined for the same conduct.

Behnke missed important Ohio workers’ compensation retaliation lawsuit deadlines. She argued that she is a current employee still suffering from the retaliatory conduct, and her claim is subject to the continuing violation doctrine. The court disagreed. Anheuser-Busch will settle the remaining claims for an undisclosed amount.

If you’re ready to blow the whistle on your employer, a skilled whistleblower attorney at Kardell Law Group can help. Call today to learn more.

By Steve Kardell | Published April 20, 2023 | Posted in Employee Rights, Whistleblower Litigation | Tagged Anheuser-Busch, employer retaliation, Workers compensation

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