Ani-Deng v. Jeffboat, LLC

Dist. Ct. did not err in granting defendant-employer’s motion for summary judgment in plaintiff-employee’s claims alleging discrimination based on her sex and national origin, as well as retaliation, where defendant demoted plaintiff to lower paid, less demanding welder job after plaintiff experienced two episodes of dizziness/nauseous symptoms while welding in confined spaces, and then laid her off as part of general reduction in force and failed to recall her after plaintiff failed to give timely notice of her intention to return to work. Only evidence to support her discrimination/retaliation claims came in form of affidavit from co-worker, who made only general claims of discrimination and failed to include facts demonstrating personal knowledge as to said claims. Moreover, demotion was reasonable because of defendant’s safety concerns.