U.S. bank VP fired for appearing in local paper in bathing suit?

Worker seeking $500,000 US, reinstatement and back pay

A female bank vice-president in the southern United States is suing for wrongful dismissal after being fired for appearing in a local newspaper in a bathing suit.

Sheri Doub filed a $500,000 US lawsuit against her employer, Citizens Tri-County Bank in Tennessee, and demanded her job back after she was let go after appearing in the lifestyle section of the Chattanooga Times Free Press on May 6, 2005, modelling swimwear.

The article apparently gave her name and information about the swimsuit, but revealed nothing about her job or her employer. Nevertheless, Doub said management approached her the same day the photo appeared and fired her.

She was told that she ought to consider a career in modelling because her career in banking was over.

According to the Chattanoogan.com, the suit says: “No reasonable person can imagine that the (bank) could summarily terminate a previously high-performing male employee solely for appearing in sportswear in a respected local newspaper. The termination was solely because of (Doub’s) gender.”

In addition to the $500,000, Doub wants to be reinstated with back pay.

C. Ann Smith, president of the bank, said: “Sheri Doub’s lawsuit is unfounded. We made a personnel decision in the best interest of our bank and its customers. Ms. Doub’s leaving the bank was handled properly, and it’s unfortunate that her claims appear to be more sensational than factual.”

Latest stories