Advocate Health Care wins summary judgment against multiple discrimination claims

Client(s) Advocate Health Care Network

On June 28, 2016, Jones Day obtained summary judgment for Advocate Health Care Network on nearly all of Plaintiff's discrimination claims. The court granted summary judgment in Advocate's favor as to Plaintiff's claims of race discrimination under Title VII and § 1981, retaliation and breach of a mediation agreement. Regarding race, the court found that "Plaintiff has not presented any facts showing discrimination or harassment based on her race." The court similarly found that "Plaintiff has not presented any facts showing that her EEOC complaint or any letters to Human Resources were the but-for cause of her termination."

With respect to Plaintiff's claim of religious discrimination, the court agreed that Plaintiff's three alleged discriminatory remarks did not rise to the level of "severe and pervasive" to warrant liability for a hostile work environment claim. It also agreed that Advocate offered a reasonable accommodation to Plaintiff's religious needs, preventing a failure to accommodate claim.

Basheeruddin v. Advocate Health Care, Case No. 15cv4131 (N.D. Ill.)