Attorneys with Barrett Johnston LLC, including civil rights lawyer George Barrett and former U.S. Attorney Jerry Martin, said in the complaint that Vanderbilt violated the WARN Act, which requires employers planning a mass layoff to notify employees and certain government officials 60 days in advance.
For instance, on September 17, Vanderbilt reported to government officials that it would let go of up to 1,033 people by the end of this year. As of Thursday, 275 people had been laid off in the last round, according to Jeffrey Balser, the head of the Vanderbilt UniversityMedical Center. All 275 were given 60 days notice.
The job cuts in July did not prompt a similar notice, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit claims, “Although the letters provided to the July 2013 group of terminated employees referenced ‘performance’ as part of the basis for the terminations, this was merely a ruse designed by the Defendant to intentionally avoid the WARN Act's obligation and requirements.”