Straub accused of bias in hiring
Seven female guards sue after they lose jobs to younger men
Helen Josypenko worked for Wackenhut Security as a team leader and site supervisor at Straub Hospital for more than four years.
So when the hospital decided not to renew its contract and keep its security in house, she was one of several current security guards who applied.
Despite being more qualified than the seven younger males who were eventually hired, Josypenko was not offered one of the nine full-time positions, according to a discrimination lawsuit filed Thursday.
Josypenko is one of seven female security guards who alleged age and sex discrimination in the lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against Straub Hospital and its parent company, Hawaii Pacific Health.
The suit was filed after EEOC attempted to reach a settlement.
Claire Tom, spokeswoman for Hawaii Pacific Health, confirmed there had been discussions but could not comment on the allegations in the complaint.
"It was just filed, so we need time to review the lawsuit," she said.
Five of the plaintiffs named in the complaint were already working at the hospital and had not had any problems relating to their performance, the complaint said. Three maintain they were not hired because of their age.
"It is unfortunate that these women were not hired despite their excellent qualifications," Anna Park, regional attorney for the EEOC's Los Angeles District Office, said in a written statement. "They were already performing on the job without any indications of problems."