Woman Says Firing Followed by Walk of Shame

(CN) - A security company fired a woman at a baseball game and made her return her company shirt, forcing her to walk through downtown Memphis wearing only a bra and see-through poncho, she claims in a lawsuit.

Diartra Drone sued Andy Frain Services Inc. and three Doe supervisors in Shelby County court this week, claiming infliction of emotional distress and negligent hiring, supervision and retention.

Drone says she was working for Andy Frain on May 13, 2014, as a guest services employee at a minor league baseball game in downtown Memphis when she was fired for taking a smoke break.

After being told of her termination, Drone was taken to an employee-only area and was ordered to return all company property, including her polo shirt, according to the complaint.

"Ms. Drone informed the defendants that she was not wearing an undershirt and did not presently possess anything else to wear in place of the company shirt. Defendants nevertheless insisted that plaintiff immediately return the company-branded shirt," the lawsuit states. "After Ms. Drone explained that she would be forced to walk past the growing groups of patrons presently queuing for the baseball game, and through the middle of downtown Memphis on a weekday clad in only a brazier and slacks, defendants offered her a rain poncho sold at the stadium to wear."

She agreed to wear the poncho because she was "slightly confused and alarmed" at the idea of walking through a crowd in her underwear, according to the complaint.

"Left with no option, Ms. Drone donned the see-through poncho and exited the facility under escort, otherwise unclothed from the waist up apart from her brazier and see-through plastic poncho. As Ms. Drone exited the baseball stadium in her forced state of undress, she was made to pass by school busses filled with elementary school-aged children, who, upon noticing Ms. Drone, began choruses of shouts and jeers," the complaint states. "Adult male passer-bys added to the cacophony whistles and catcalls as they drove past her on the busy downtown streets as Ms. Drone made her way to her vehicle parked blocks away, where she arrived utterly humiliated, shocked, and distressed."

Drone seeks $1 million in compensatory damages and $2 million in punitive damages. She is represented by Henry Reaves III and Donnie Snow in Memphis.

A request for comment from Andy Frain Services Inc. was not immediately returned.

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