A former employee has filed a lawsuit against Mercy Medical Center and its parent organization, Catholic Health System of Long Island, Inc., accusing them of age discrimination, retaliation, and unlawful termination.
Plaintiff Kristen Shetty began working at Mercy Medical Center as an Assistant Nurse Manager in January 2021. Over time, she claims to have observed discriminatory practices favoring younger employees. According to the complaint, Shetty alleges that her supervisor expressed a preference for younger nurses with comments like "you can’t teach old dogs new tricks." At 53 years old at the time of her termination in May 2024, Shetty was one of the older employees at the hospital. The complaint details how she objected to what she perceived as unsafe practices within the hospital—such as delayed cleaning of patient rooms and use of expired medical supplies—that posed risks to patient safety. These objections allegedly led to retaliatory actions by her supervisors, including unwarranted disciplinary measures and, ultimately, her dismissal.
Shetty's lawsuit asserts violations under several laws: New York Labor Law §§ 740 and 741 for whistleblower protection; the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL) for age discrimination; and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). The plaintiff argues that these actions were taken maliciously by Mercy Medical Center and Catholic Health System as retribution for her complaints about age discrimination and patient safety concerns. "The Hospital weaponized completely normal interactions...to portray Ms. Shetty as a problematic employee," reads part of the complaint.
In seeking redress from the court, Shetty is asking for compensatory damages for lost wages and emotional distress caused by what she describes as a hostile work environment leading up to her termination. Additionally, she seeks punitive damages due to what she claims was willful misconduct by her employers. Her legal team also requests attorney fees and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Shetty is represented by attorneys Maya Risman and Shannon Barry from Risman & Risman P.C., along with Evan Brustein from Brustein Law PLLC. The case was filed in the Eastern District of New York under Case ID 2:25-cv-01866.