A former Wealth Enhancement worker alleged her superior on the agency discriminated in opposition to her throughout a high-risk being pregnant and that the agency unfairly fired her after her return to work, based on a lately filed lawsuit.
Amy Fox filed the criticism in opposition to the agency in Pennsylvania federal courtroom, noting she was employed in July 2022 as a transition assist shopper specialist.
Based on Fox’s LinkedIn profile, she helped advisor groups with shopper paperwork and account setup, reviewed account data for accuracy and coordinated requests with advisors, operations “and all company groups.”
In late June or early July 2023, Fox instructed the agency she was pregnant, based on the go well with. She subsequently instructed her speedy supervisor, Operations Specialist Nicole Parsons, that she couldn’t attend an non-compulsory work journey due to her immune-compromised situation and her being pregnant.
Based on the go well with, Fox developed pregnancy-related well being issues as a consequence of her auto-immune illness and missed a number of days of labor. Based on Fox, Parsons met along with her in early September to query “her dedication to the workforce.”
Parsons purportedly instructed Fox to make use of paid break day for medical appointments, which Fox mentioned was opposite to the agency’s observe of permitting exempt workers to attend medical appointments with out PTO so long as they have been out of labor lower than half a day.
Fox allegedly went to HR, which affirmed her view. Nonetheless, Parsons reportedly refused to approve the request.
“As a substitute, for the primary time ever, Parsons suggested HR that (Fox) was ‘underperforming,’” the go well with learn. “In flip, HR notified (Fox) that the coverage on taking break day for medical appointments with out utilizing PTO didn’t apply to (Fox) as a result of she was ‘underperforming.’”
In October, Fox instructed HR that she felt Parsons was “discriminating in opposition to her due to her being pregnant and retaliating in opposition to her” due to her want for lodging associated to her being pregnant. HR allegedly instructed Fox it could examine the criticism, however after she requested quite a few updates, they mentioned Fox ought to talk about her considerations instantly with Parsons.
Fox gave start on Dec. 8, 2023 after needing to take a number of days off earlier than her maternity go away as a consequence of her mother-in-law’s loss of life, based on the go well with. Throughout Fox’s maternity go away, Parsons allegedly posted an unfavorable efficiency assessment within the agency’s system, which Fox mentioned she solely discovered when logging on to get data on an interview for one more place within the firm.
Based on the go well with, Fox returned on March 4, and Parsons scheduled a efficiency assessment for April 3. Fox requested to speak to an HR consultant about her accusations of discriminatory remedy and have a rep attend the efficiency assessment. Fox claimed that HR assigned her to a brand new consultant, who mentioned they’d contact her.
Fox mentioned Wealth Enhancement fired her on April 9 earlier than she heard from HR.
“Throughout the termination listening to, (Wealth Enhancement) identified that (Fox) was an at-will worker and mentioned that the place (Fox) needed to go in her profession didn’t align with the place,” the go well with learn.
However Fox claimed she’d been handled “much less favorably” than non-pregnant workers and argued that “at the very least one different Transition Help Shopper Specialist who reported to Parsons didn’t attain the objectives set by Parsons and was not terminated.”
A Wealth Enhancement spokesperson mentioned they have been “unable to touch upon pending litigation.”
Earlier this month, Wealth Enhancement (previously Wealth Enhancement Group) made its first acquisition of the 12 months with Capstone Wealth Advisors, a $618 million RIA within the Pacific Northwest. This boosted Wealth Enhancement’s belongings above $102.7 billion.
The agency additionally made 15 offers in 2024 18 in 2023, 14 in 2022 and 16 in 2021.
The Minneapolis-based RIA’s acquisitions are partly fueled by personal fairness companies Onex Companions and TA Associates, each of which have stakes within the agency. In June, it disaffiliated from LPL Monetary after 17 years with the dealer/supplier.
