Former KU employee sues the university
Lawrence- After 29 years of employment with the University of Kansas, Cynthia Cook wants them to pay her more than $100,000 over allegations she was discriminated against because of her age. New court documents detail both sides of the case. Cook was laid off from her position as a Technology Support Tech Senior in June of 2009 and the job was later eliminated. Cook interviewed for a new position, Information Specialist One, that she says was substantially similar to her former job but she didn’t get it. The job was given to three younger employees and Cook believes she was denied the job because of her age. She was 52 at the time.
“We will vigorously defend this case and our defense will show these claims have no merit,” says University spokesperson, Jill Jess.
Court documents also show the University says Cook was not hired for the new position because of her answer to a question during the interview. She was asked how she would respond to a student employee providing incorrect advice to a caller and she said she would wave her hands above her head and yell across the room. The University doesn’t feel the answer was appropriate for a team leader.
Cynthia Cook’s attorney did not return a call to 6News on this story for comment.
The trial is set for November.