Parramore Kidz Zone gets slammed with a lawsuit

Problems keep piling up for Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s signature youth development program in Parramore.

Last week a former city employee hit the city and 2 top city leaders with a federal lawsuit charging discrimination and harassment in the Parramore Kidz Zone program.

In the lawsuit, a lawyer representing Nivea Long (the plaintiff)  said her client “seeks damages to redress the injuries plaintiff suffered as a result of being exposed to sex/gender discrimination, pregnancy discrimination, perceived sexual orientation, unequal wages, hostile work environment, retaliation, negligent retention, negligent supervision, intentional infliction of emotional redress and wrongful termination.”

The lawsuit specifically calls out Lisa Early, Director of Families Parks and Recreation for the city, and Brenda March, Manager of Children and Education/ Parramore Kidz Zone, for their mistreatment of Ms. Long.

Ms. Long worked for the city in the recreation department between 2002 and 2017, when she was fired.

The lawsuit states that the problems began in 2011 when Ms. March became Ms. Long’s supervisor.

Among other things Ms. Long said:

·        Ms. March falsely stated that Ms. Long was a lesbian and was engaged in a sexual relationship with another female employee. Ms. Long said she is heterosexual.

·        Ms. March repeatedly wanted to know who Ms. Long was dating.

·        Ms. March also gossiped about the romantic and sex loves of other program employee.

·        Ms. March spread false rumors about Ms. Long’s sexual behavior.

·        Ms. March ridiculed Ms. Long for getting pregnant.

·        Ms. March harassed Ms. Long over her work attire and insisted that she dress feminine in skirts, dresses and heels even though that is not suitable for her job in recreation which required her to be physically active coaching children, providing transportation and engaging in community activities. Ms. Long found it easier to dress in Bermuda shorts, the same as male coworkers in the program.

Ms. Long said when she sought help from the city, she said Ms. Early told Ms. Long she should resolve her problems with Ms. March “independently.” She said Ms. Early didn’t do anything to address the hostile work environment at PKZ Zone.

Ms. Long said continued harassment by Ms. March caused some much stress that she had to be hospitalized.

In addition, she noted that Ms. March and Ms. Early failed to conduct annual performance reviews in 2016 and 2017, which means that she did not have an opportunity for a promotion or raise.