Lady Justice
NEW ORLEANS – A former Dillard University employee claims her termination and statements made by her former supervisor have had a negative impact on her “professional opportunities.”
Plaintiff Rose Grace, who worked as a controller for the university, filed her lawsuit against Dillard in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
In her 11-page complaint, she alleges she was unlawfully terminated in violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Civil Rights Act.
“Defendant terminated Plaintiff on June 9, 2025, purportedly because of an ‘extended period away’ from work,” the lawsuit states. “In fact, Plaintiff’s absence was due to medically necessary surgery for which she had obtained prior approval from University administration, and a portion of that period involved official University business travel.”
Prior to her employment at Dillard, Grace was employed at Tulane University, where she served in a controller-level financial capacity and “accumulated significant professional experience in higher education finance and administration.” She began her employment with Dillard in 2024.
Prior to joining the university, Grace claims she had a pre-existing medical condition requiring surgical intervention. She contends her leave for surgery was approved by the university’s chief financial officer in April 2024 and again in early 2025.
On May 3, 2025, Grace claims she notified her direct supervisor, Charles Cansler, she would need to be absent from work for about three weeks due to her scheduled surgery.
“Plaintiff’s leave was medically necessary and was approved in advance by University administration,” the lawsuit states.
Grace’s leave period ran from May 5, 2025 through early June 2025.
According to her filing, a portion of the time period cited by Dillard in the termination letter – specifically May 23 through June 2, 2025 – was not personal leave at all.
During this period, she contends she was engaged in “official University business travel,” attending a conference and transporting Dillard students to a conference.
Grace’s lawsuit also takes issue with Cansler’s actions during her approved medical leave.
On or about the date of her surgery, Cansler allegedly contacted her about work-related matters.
“This contact was inappropriate, interfered with Plaintiff’s approved leave, and caused Plaintiff significant distress given her medical condition at the time,” the complaint states.
In addition, Cansler allegedly made statements to U.S. Department of Education and Rice Capital officials and university leaders that he had not seen her and that she should be at home focusing on her health.
“This statement was made in front of external parties and was harmful to Plaintiff’s professional reputation,” the filing states.
“Separate statements were also made by University personnel regarding Plaintiff’s professional competence, which Plaintiff found demeaning and which further contributed to a hostile work environment.”
Grace claims she reported Cansler’s conduct to Dillard’s human resources department. However, she contends the university failed to take any corrective action.
On June 9, 2025 – soon after she made her complaints and shortly after her return – Dillard terminated Grace’s employment.
“The termination letter stated that the reason for Plaintiff’s discharge was her ‘extended period away from the organization’ from May 5 through June 6, 2025, which Defendant claimed coincided with a critical phase of a U.S. Department of Education institutional review and the Rice Capital loan project,” the complaint states.
“Defendant was aware of Plaintiff’s medical condition and the basis for her absence. Defendant nevertheless terminated Plaintiff’s employment on a basis it knew to be factually inaccurate.”
Grace claims as a result of her termination that she experienced a period of unemployment and “financial instability.”
She seeks back pay, front pay, liquidated damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, economic damages, pre- and post-judgment interest and attorney fees.
Anders Law Firm LLC in New Orleans is representing Grace.
