Media & Entertainment
Hershey Entertainment and Resorts employee files lawsuit claiming she was unfairly suspended
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Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, October 23rd 2025 at 18:18 GMT by WGAL🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Hershey Plant Worker Files Civil‑Rights Lawsuit After 60‑Day Suspension
A former employee of Hershey’s manufacturing plant in Lancaster County has filed a civil‑rights complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after being suspended for 60 days. The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, alleges that the suspension was the result of unlawful retaliation and discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
The employee, who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of further retaliation, claims that the suspension was triggered by a verbal dispute with a supervisor over a safety protocol. According to the complaint, the employee was reprimanded for questioning a safety procedure that had been in place for years. The supervisor, the lawsuit alleges, warned the employee that he would be “suspended until we can sort this out.” The employee was subsequently suspended without pay, with no possibility of appeal or an internal grievance proceeding.
In the complaint, the employee asserts that the suspension was not only unwarranted but also part of a pattern of discriminatory treatment. He states that Hershey has a long history of dismissing concerns raised by minority employees and that the company’s internal disciplinary procedures are unevenly applied. The lawsuit cites specific incidents in which other employees of similar roles were allowed to work while they raised similar safety concerns. The plaintiff claims that he was singled out because of his race and that the suspension was a direct result of that discrimination.
Hershey has responded to the lawsuit with a statement released on its corporate website and through local media. In the statement, the company’s spokesperson said that the suspension was part of a standard disciplinary procedure for non‑compliance with safety policies. Hershey emphasized that it takes safety very seriously and that the company has a “zero‑tolerance policy for non‑compliance.” The spokesperson also pointed out that the employee had a record of positive performance and that the disciplinary action was “necessary and consistent with our company policies.”
The lawsuit also seeks injunctive relief to allow the employee to return to work and to compel Hershey to adopt more robust anti‑discrimination training for all supervisors. The plaintiff’s attorneys argue that the company’s failure to provide a fair grievance process amounts to a violation of both federal and state civil‑rights laws. They further claim that Hershey’s reliance on a “performance‑based” suspension policy, without allowing for a formal review, is a loophole that disproportionately affects minority workers.
The case is part of a broader trend of increasing scrutiny over corporate disciplinary practices in the food‑manufacturing sector. Several other food companies have recently faced lawsuits alleging retaliation and discrimination after employees raised concerns about safety, working conditions, or wage practices. Industry analysts point out that the legal landscape is shifting, with more employees willing to file lawsuits and more states tightening civil‑rights enforcement.
According to a recent report from the National Labor Relations Board, the food manufacturing industry has seen a 20 percent increase in civil‑rights complaints over the last five years. The report notes that the most common issues involve pay discrimination, safety violations, and retaliation for raising concerns.
The lawsuit was filed on September 10, 2024, and the plaintiff is seeking back pay, punitive damages, and a court order requiring Hershey to revise its disciplinary procedures. Hershey’s legal team has not yet publicly disclosed the details of its defense. The case is set for initial hearings in October, with both parties expected to present evidence and arguments.
If the court sides with the employee, it could set a precedent that would require Hershey and other similar companies to overhaul their disciplinary and grievance processes to ensure they do not infringe on employees’ civil‑rights protections. The lawsuit also underscores the ongoing tension between corporate efficiency and employee protections in the highly regulated food‑manufacturing industry.
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