The Learning Experience Accused Of Sex, Familial Status, And Marital Discrimination

On January 8, 2024, The Law Office of David H. Rosenberg, P.C. (“Firm”) filed a verified complaint of sex, familial/marital status discrimination, as well as retaliation, with The New York State Division of Human Rights (“NYSDHR”) on behalf of Complainant, a single mother, against Respondents Mattea, Edward, and Ben’s Enrichment Corporation d/b/a The Learning Experience (“The Learning Experience”); owners Edward and Brooke Attard (“E. Attard” and “B. Attard”); center director Marie Springman (“M. Springman”); director Kaitlin Hyde (“Hyde”); and director Lidia A. Dormier (“Dormier” and all together as “Respondents”).

In the Verified Complaint, Complainant performed the job duties of a lead teacher and yet was only paid the assistant teacher rate of $16.50 at all times, despite being so informed that she would get the lead teacher rate of $17.50 per hour. Complainant was written up for failing to supervise a minor child who was bitten on a day that Complainant was neither scheduled to nor did so work. After observing scratches and a severe rash on her minor child, a student of The Learning Experience, Complainant reported both incidents to The Learning Experience who refused to provide incident reports forcing Complainant to officially file a report of child neglect with the Office of Children and Family Services (“OCFS”) on June 30, 2023.  

According to the Verified Complaint, on or around July 6, 2023, OCFS investigated The Learning Experience causing M. Springman to threaten Complainant “Your little call to the state almost lost you your job” in front of Hyde. M. Springman accused Complainant of having her minor son come “in with those scratches” and that the rash was not a diaper rash; rather, it was coxsackie – despite the fact that Complainant’s doctor already diagnosed the severe diaper rash – as alleged in the Verified Complaint.

Complainant told M. Springman, “You don’t like me because I’m a single mom who defends her son” angering M. Springman who turned to Dormier and said, “I’m not going back and forth with her, just let her go.” Complainant was then terminated on account of the protected classes and in retaliation.

If you or someone you know is suffering at work, contact The Law Office of David H. Rosenberg, P.C., (516) 741-0300. Problems at work are no problem for us.