Harrah’s Dealer Accuses Casino of Retaliatory Firing

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A table games dealer has sued Harrah’s Casino and parent company Caesar’s Entertainment for retaliating against him for reporting an incident to human resources and requesting FMLA leave. William Peterson III, a disabled veteran, was forced to work through a fire alarm which triggered his post-traumatic stress disorder. When he reported the event, pointed out safety violations and asked for time off to recover, the casino fired him. Peterson claims this is a violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Case background

The FMLA allows eligible employees to take unpaid leave for family and/or medical reasons. Their jobs are protected during this leave. Peterson, however, alleges that Harrah’s violated the FMLA by wrongfully firing him.

Peterson worked at the Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel & Casino Resort in Cherokee, North Carolina, from June 2016 to April 2021. Peterson was suspended for “violating the company code of conducted related to bets placed at his table on April 16 and April 18.” He reported the fire alarm incident and requested FMLA accommodations in March 2021, and was fired on April 29. Throughout this time, he claims management told him not to bring up FMLA leave, and laughed when he described the specific safety violations during the fire alarm incident.

Peterson’s lawsuit claims that Harrah’s did not provide a warning or counseling to the plaintiff, and that what they claimed he should have done differently was in direct contradiction of the company’s code of conduct. The suit alleges that the casino retaliated and discriminated against him in violation of the FMLA and Uniformed Services Employment and Rehabilitation Act.

The plaintiff is seeking back pay, front pay, compensatory damages and reinstatement of his job.

If your employer has violated the law, a knowledgeable whistleblower attorney at Kardell Law Group can help you understand your legal options. Reach out today to learn more.

By Steve Kardell | Published May 18, 2023 | Posted in Employee Rights, Whistleblower Litigation | Tagged employer retaliation, FMLA, retaliation claim

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