Former Employee Sues McDonald's, Claims She Was Harassed For Being Nicaraguan

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A former employee has sued McDonald's, alleging she was subjected to demeaning comments and given extra tasks because she is Nicaraguan.

Maria Bonilla filed her lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming national origin discrimination, harassment, retaliation and wrongful constructive termination. She is seeking unspecified damages.

According to the complaint, Bonilla began working for the fast-food chain in April 2008 at an unidentified location.

Bonilla was told by a manager that Nicaraguans are "lazy" and "nasty" throughout her employment, according to the complaint. The supervisor also told Bonilla that Nicaraguan women are "slutty" and "always go after married men," according to the court papers, which also said he called her a "pig" and a "slut."

The complaint also alleges the manager and a second boss ordered Bonilla to lift heavy boxes and required her to work on the grill "for so long that she felt as though she would pass out from the heat." The suit also claims she was required to work in the freezer for extended periods.

Bonilla claims when she complained, the supervisors cut her hours and told her she was lazy.

Bonilla says she fainted from the stress of her alleged mistreatment at McDonald's in May 209 and was immediately fired.

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