A 33-year-old single mother has filed a lawsuit against Citigroup, after Citibank allegedly fired her for being too attractive.
Debrahlee Lorenzana claims that she was let go from the New York branch of the bank after being told that her choice of clothes made her 'too distracting' in the largely male-dominated office.
Ms Lorenzana's lawsuit alleges that her bosses told her 'as a result of the shape of her figure, such clothes were purportedly 'too distracting' for her male colleagues and supervisors to bear'.
Debrahlee Lorenzana has filed a lawsuit against Citigroup for allegedly firing her because she was 'too attractive'
The Puerto Rican banker says she was given a list of clothes she would no longer be able to wear - including pencil skirts, fitted suits and polo necks.
But Ms Lorenzana told New York newspaper The Village Voice it is her right to dress as she wishes, as long as it is a professionally-appropriate outfit.
She said: 'I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I said, "You gotta be kidding me! I was like, Too distracting? For who? For you? My clients don't seem to have any problem."
'Where I'm from, women dress up - like put on makeup and do their nails - to go to the supermarket..
'I was raised very Latin. We're feminine. A woman in Puerto Rico takes care of herself.'
Ms Lorenzana's lawyer Jack Tuckner said he believes the case is self-explanatory.
He explained: 'It's like saying that we can't think anymore because our penises are standing up - and we cannot think about you except in a sexual manner - and we can't look at you without wanting to have sexual intercourse with you.
'And it's up to you, gorgeous woman, to lessen your appeal so that we can focus!'
Ms Lorenzana claims she was given a list of clothes she wasn't allowed to wear in the office
As well as some 'conservative' photos taken by Mr Tuckner, Ms Lorezana's lawsuit includes evidence of a meeting when she was told by her two managers that her trousers were too tight, and photos of other employees dressed in provocative clothes.
She added: 'I could have worn a paper bag, and it would not have mattered. If it wasn't my shirt, it was my pants.
'If it wasn't my pants, it was my shoes. They picked on me every single day.'
The fitted clothes and flattering suits favoured by Ms Lorenzana have made a comeback recently thanks to hit U.S. TV show Mad Men.
But, judging from this lawsuit, women such as Christina Hendricks' character Joan Holloway would cause a bit of a stir in today's society.
However, because Ms Lorenzana was required to sign a mandatory-arbitration clause before she began her job at Citibank, the case will never end up in front of a jury or a judge.
An arbirtrator will decide the result of the lawsuit.
A statement from Citigroup read: 'We believe this lawsuit is without merit and we will defend against it vigorously.
'We respect the privacy of all of our employees and therefore cannot comment more specifically on this litigation, this former employee's overall performance, or the reasons for her termination - which an arbitration panel must resolve.
'Citi is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and providing a respectful environment in the workplace. We have a strong commitment to diversity and we do not condone, or tolerate, discrimination within our business for any reason.'
[ via Dailymail ]
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