CCV Employee Sues Institution for Discrimination and Harassment

CCV Employee Sues Institution for Discrimination and Harassment

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Tammy Howard Davis Lawsuit Against Vermont State Colleges

A 58-year-old employee at the Community College of Vermont is suing the institution for discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, according to a civil court filing. Tammy Howard Davis, who works as a student advising coordinator at CCV’s Rutland Academic Center, filed the lawsuit in Rutland County Civil Court on June 11, 2025.

The legal action details allegations of willful and continuous harassment based on religion, age, sex, disability, and ancestry. In addition to those issues, Howard Davis’s lawsuit puts forward allegations of disability-based discrimination, retaliatory actions, promissory estoppel, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and the negligent hiring, retention, and supervision of personnel. Siobhan McCloskey represents Howard Davis in the ongoing litigation.

Rutland County Court Schedules Motion Hearing

A motion hearing for the case is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Nov. 17 at Rutland County Civil Court. In its formal court response, Defendant Vermont State Colleges confirmed that Howard Davis met with supervisors in February 2024. However, the institution denied the remaining accusations and stated it is without knowledge to admit or deny what Howard Davis means by allegations that discipline did not occur.

The filing outlines several specific workplace incidents. Howard Davis alleges that coworkers subjected her to religious harassment, including a remark telling a pregnant coworker to “just kill it” and a colleague making an exaggerated sign of a cross. The lawsuit also claims that requests for accessibility accommodations regarding a broken ramp at the Rutland campus have not been met.

CCV Employee Sues Institution for Discrimination and Harassment

Addressing the accessibility claim, VSC’s response stated that the plaintiff filed a single request for accommodation in January 2024, rather than numerous requests. Furthermore, VSC contended that fixing the ramp falls outside the accommodations it can supply, given that the institution does not hold ownership of the Rutland campus property. The response noted that the plaintiff is aware of this because of her litigation against the builder and the landlord of the CCV property.

Lawsuit Details Claims of Ancestral Harassment

The court filing details claims of ancestral harassment, asserting that a coworker repeatedly called Howard Davis “T-Bones”—likening the name to that of a gang member—and insinuated that because Howard Davis is of Italian descent, she is also in the mafia or a criminal. In its defense, VSC maintained that any accusations regarding harassment aimed at a different coworker are inadmissible because they do not concern the plaintiff nor describe incidents outside of Howard Davis’s direct personal awareness.

Howard Davis also alleges she faced retaliation after taking protected action. The alleged retaliation involved being pressured to reduce her hours to part-time, having an offer to instruct a course beginning in January 2025 rescinded, and being refused medical insurance coverage for a specific prescription drug. VSC denied any connection between Howard Davis’s complaints to supervisors and not being asked to teach a course.

Regarding the medical coverage dispute, VSC stated that it assisted the plaintiff in resolving issues with Cigna to the extent it was able, while denying any implication that the defendant could in any manner influence Cigna’s insurance coverage of the plaintiff.

Plaintiff Seeks Back Pay and Damages

The legal action requests back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages, equitable relief, reasonable attorney’s fees, expert witness fees, pre-judgment interest, and any other relief the court determines to be proper and necessary. The upcoming motion hearing on Nov. 17 at Rutland County Civil Court will address outstanding legal motions in the case.

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