Glendale : Fired Employee Sues Zales

A West Hollywood woman has filed suit against Zales jewelers, alleging that she was the object of age and sex discrimination while an employee of the firm’s Glendale Galleria branch.

Linda Skladzien, 46, is seeking more than $200,000 in damages from Dallas-based Zale Delaware Inc., according to the complaint filed in Glendale Superior Court.

Zales regional manager Bruce Reschke and store manager Dana Baldizar are also named as defendants. The company is denying the allegations.

“We have a very strong track record . . . of promoting women and minorities and people of all ages,” spokeswoman Lisette McSoud said.

Reschke fired Skladzien, who was nearing her sixth year as a Zales employee, last April because she “had been in the store alone contrary to company policy requiring at least two people to be in the store at one time during business hours,” the suit said.

Skladzien contends that she was alone inside the Glendale store before opening hours. She alleges that the company discriminated against her over the last five years by denying her a promotion to regional manager and giving the position to men or women under age 40.