South Dakota Radio Chain Accused Of Sex, Age Discrimination

New Rushmore Radio Sued

RAPID CITY, SD radio sales executive SHERRY ERICKSON has filed a federal lawsuit accusing her former employer, NEW RUSHMORE RADIO, of age and sex discrimination, according to a report in the RAPID CITY JOURNAL.

ERICKSON had worked as a sales rep for the radio group for almost 12 years when GM LIA GREEN fired her in SEPTEMBER 2013 after she refused to resign, according to the suit. ERICKSON, who the lawsuit identifies as "over age 40," was granted permission to sue the radio group by the EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION in SEPTEMBER, a full year after being let go.

ERICKSON testified when she first joined the company in 2001 as a sales executive, she brought substantial experience to the job and was successful during her tenure. She asserted she was not treated equally to her male co-workers when it came to overtime and a bi-weekly salary draw and that male sales reps were assigned more lucrative accounts first developed by a female exec.

Beginning in 2007, ERICKSON claimed GREEN subjected her to "negative and demeaning comments about her age" and the fact she was a grandmother. In 2012, GREEN began asking ERICKSON when she was going to retire, and in a sales meeting, asked her age, according to the lawsuit. A supervisor also told ERICKSON that "the company would prefer a younger, more energetic employee," according to court documents.

She seeks compensatory damages, including back pay, liquidated damages, and interes, general damages for past and future losses arising from the pain, anxiety, humiliation and embarrassment she suffered, along with punitive damages, court costs and attorneys' fees.

A subsidiary of SCHURZ COMMUNICATIONS, NEW RUSHMORE RADIO operates FOX 96.9, HOT 93.1, KAT 98.7 and MIX 93.9.

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