- A discrimination lawsuit against NC hotel owner Shreeji will proceed.
- Complainant claims they were fired for requesting leave for gender change.
- Claims against management company Hotel Equities were dropped.
A FEDERAL JUDGE allowed a discrimination and retaliation lawsuit against a North Carolina Courtyard by Marriott hotel to proceed. The court found that its owner, Shreeji Hotel Group, may have been the plaintiff’s employer and decision-maker.
The ruling denied the owner’s motion to dismiss and dismissed claims against the hotel’s management company, Hotel Equities, according to Bloomberg Law. The lawsuit, filed by a former assistant general manager, alleges she was terminated after requesting leave for gender-affirming surgeries.
According to court records, U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell found the plaintiff alleged sufficient facts to support claims of discrimination and retaliation under federal law.
At issue is who functioned as the plaintiff’s employer. Shreeji Hotel argued it was only the hotel’s owner and not responsible for employment decisions under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or the Family and Medical Leave Act, Bloomberg Law reported. The judge found the company was “more than simply the absent owner,” citing allegations that its representatives visited the hotel, were informed of the plaintiff’s medical situation and assumed control of management.
The complaint alleges that Shreeji Hotel decided to terminate the plaintiff’s employment. The plaintiff claims that shortly after approval for a third leave of absence for gender-affirming care, she was told her position was being eliminated. Although the company said multiple assistant general manager roles were cut, the plaintiff contends hers was the only position eliminated.
Based on these allegations, the judge concluded it is reasonable to infer that Shreeji Hotel, not Hotel Equities, was the decision-maker in the challenged actions. The ruling allows the case to proceed to discovery.
The lawsuit raises questions about employer responsibility, workplace protections and the intersection of medical leave and gender identity discrimination under federal law.
Charlotte, North Carolina–based Shreeji is led by Principal Chad Patel and Partner Akshar Patel. Vivek Patel is corporate counsel, according to its website. The company operates about 10 hotels across brands including Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Choice Hotels International, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Red Roof in North and South Carolina.
Alpharetta, Georgia–based Hotel Equities is led by CEO Benjamin Rafter and COO Albert Smith. In January, Taj Hospitality selected Hotel Equities to manage 13 hotels in Lubbock, Texas, bringing its state portfolio to 29.
A whitepaper by The Staffing found that about 65 percent of U.S. hotels report staffing shortages despite rising wages.
