A recent federal lawsuit claims that an employee was denied promotion opportunities, refused religious accommodations, and ultimately terminated after raising concerns about workplace discrimination. The case highlights ongoing issues surrounding employment rights related to religion, race, and age in the workplace.
Katherine Caruso filed the complaint on March 5, 2026 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Bath & Body Works, LLC. The filing alleges violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 as amended by the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
According to court documents, Caruso is a Hispanic individual over 40 years old who identifies as Catholic. She began working for Bath & Body Works around October 15, 2019 and most recently held a supervisor position. The complaint states that Caruso met reasonable performance expectations when applied equally without regard to race, religion, or age.
The legal dispute centers on several incidents that occurred during Caruso’s employment. In January 2024, she applied for an assistant store manager position for which she claims she was well qualified. By mid-April 2024, Caruso learned that a younger individual who was not Hispanic or Catholic had been promoted instead. The complaint asserts this person previously held a lower-ranking ‘key holder’ position while Caruso was already a supervisor. According to Caruso’s account in the filing: “This was perplexing to Plaintiff because she had previously been told by Defendant’s district manager…that employees could not be promoted upwards more than one position at a time in the hierarchy.”
Caruso also alleges that between April and June 2024 she requested multiple times to leave work early on Sundays so she could attend church services at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Naperville. These requests were denied without what she describes as legitimate justification.
On May 28, 2024 Caruso reported her concerns about not receiving religious accommodation—and her belief that she had been passed over for promotion due to her age and race—to Bath & Body Works’ human resources department. She recounts being told by her store manager that all managers would “have to vote” on whether her request would be granted.
The complaint further details that on July 19, 2024 Caruso was terminated from employment for allegedly failing to properly process a customer return. She contends this infraction was minor and disputes its validity: “Plaintiff processed the return properly…it was exactly how Plaintiff processed the return.” The document notes that prior to this incident Caruso had not received any non-attendance related discipline.
Caruso’s legal action includes seven counts: race discrimination under Title VII; discrimination based upon religion under Title VII; age discrimination under ADEA; race discrimination under Section 1981; retaliation under Title VII; retaliation under Section 1981; and retaliation under ADEA. Each count reiterates allegations regarding failure to promote her based on protected characteristics or retaliation following complaints about discriminatory practices.
In support of these claims, attached exhibits include an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charge dated after July 19, 2024 summarizing allegations of hostile work environment due to race (Caucasian), religion (Catholic), and age (56). It also references repeated but unaddressed requests for religious accommodation as well as termination after raising concerns with management.
The EEOC issued a Notice of Right to Sue on December 5, 2025 stating: “The EEOC has granted your request for a Notice of Right to Sue…your lawsuit under the ADEA must be filed in federal or state court WITHIN 90 DAYS.” This notice confirms closure of EEOC processing regarding charge number 440-2025-04113.
Caruso seeks equitable relief including reinstatement or other appropriate remedies; compensatory damages including lost wages and emotional distress; punitive damages where allowed; attorney’s fees; costs; disbursements; liquidated damages under ADEA claims; and any other relief deemed just by the court.
The case is identified as Case No. 1:26-cv-02508 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division. Katherine Caruso is represented by Michael T. Smith of Law Offices of Michael T. Smith & Associates P.C., Lisle.
Source: 126cv02508_Katherine_Caruso_v_Bath_&_Body_Works_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
