Battle Ground Academy (BGA) is an independent, college-preparatory school for grades K-12 in Franklin, Tennessee, US. Founded in 1889, the school was originally located on the site of the Battle of Franklin in the American Civil War. BGA has two campuses. The Harpeth Campus is located on Franklin Road in the historic Cox House and is home to Grades K-4. The Glen Echo campus is centered on historic plantation house Glen Echo and is located off Mack Hatcher Parkway and is home to grades 5 to 12.
In 2011, Amy Pigott, a former teacher at BGA, filed a lawsuit against the school alleging age discrimination and retaliation. Pigott, who was 68 years old at the time, claimed that she was reassigned to teach French and work part-time in the college counseling department after she complained about age discrimination in the workplace. Pigott also alleged that she was retaliated against for complaining about age discrimination, and that she was ultimately fired from her job.
BGA denied Pigott’s allegations, and the case went to trial in 2012. A jury found in favor of Pigott on her age discrimination claim, but found in favor of BGA on her retaliation claim. The jury awarded Pigott $100,000 in damages.
BGA appealed the jury’s verdict, and in 2014, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the jury’s verdict on the age discrimination claim. The Sixth Circuit also found that BGA had retaliated against Pigott for complaining about age discrimination, and reinstated her retaliation claim.
The case was then remanded back to the district court for a new trial on the retaliation claim. In 2015, a jury again found in favor of Pigott on her retaliation claim, and awarded her an additional $100,000 in damages.
BGA appealed the jury’s verdict again, but the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the jury’s verdict in 2016.
The Battle Ground Academy lawsuit is a cautionary tale for employers about the dangers of age discrimination and retaliation. Employers should be aware that they have a legal obligation to treat all employees fairly, regardless of their age. Employers should also be aware that they cannot retaliate against employees who complain about age discrimination.
FAQs:
Q: What is age discrimination?
A: Age discrimination is when an employer treats an employee unfairly because of their age. Age discrimination can take many forms, including hiring, firing, promotion, demotion, pay, and benefits.
Q: What is retaliation?
A: Retaliation is when an employer takes adverse action against an employee for complaining about discrimination or harassment. Retaliation can take many forms, including firing, demotion, suspension, and disciplinary action.
Q: What are the signs of age discrimination?
A: Some of the signs of age discrimination include:
- Being passed over for promotions or jobs that you are qualified for
- Being fired or laid off while younger employees are kept
- Being paid less than younger employees who do the same job
- Being subjected to negative comments or stereotypes about your age
- Being treated differently from younger employees
References:
- Pigott v. Battle Ground Academy et al, No. 3:2011cv00764 (M.D. Tenn. 2012): https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/tennessee/tnmdce/3:2011cv00764/51179/29/)
- Pigott v. Battle Ground Academy et al, No. 3:2011cv00764 (6th Cir. 2014): https://casetext.com/case/bird-v-parsons-2)
- Pigott v. Battle Ground Academy et al, No. 3:2011cv00764 (M.D. Tenn. 2015): https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/tennessee/tnmdce/3:2011cv00764/51179/29/)
- Pigott v. Battle Ground Academy et al, No. 3:2011cv00764 (6th Cir. 2016): https://www.law360.com/cases/5e50131df718ce03e20fc114/dockets)