HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – Another former Huntsville police dispatcher has filed a discrimination lawsuit on Wednesday against the city of Huntsville and Michael Danley, a lieutenant at the Huntsville Police Department, according to court documents obtained by WAFF.
Court records reveal Allison Ellis is suing the city, claiming she experienced gender and religious discrimination.
This comes two days after former Huntsville Police dispatcher Katrina Brady filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination against her during her pregnancy and after the birth of her child.
The complaint states that in 2023, Ellis was working as a part-time police dispatcher, and in 2024, she and her husband found out they were pregnant with their third child.
Around February or March of 2024, Ellis informed her supervisor about the pregnancy, court documents show.
The complaint states that, in May 2024, Ellis reminded the supervisor that she needed to leave work around 11:30 a.m. for her prenatal care midwife appointment.
Ellis claimed the supervisor responded by yelling at her in front of her dispatch coworkers.
Court documents also reveal that Human Resources for the city of Huntsville determined that what the supervisor did “was not the most appropriate way to approach the situation.”
In June 2024, the complaint further reveals, an HPD dispatch sergeant also threatened Ellis’ job, telling her, “You know, Allison, I might not let you come back to [to work following maternity leave] once you pop out that baby.”
Following that incident, a few weeks later, the complaint states Ellis made an internal complaint against the sergeant. In July 2024, she met with two human resources staff members regarding that issue.
Ellis began her maternity leave in October 2024.
In December 2024, the complaint said, Ellis gave birth to her third child and then contacted her direct supervisor, acknowledging she would be ready to return to work.
The supervisor then told Ellis to contact Lt. Danley about returning to work. In January 2025, Ellis was reportedly set to return to work; however claims the city did not hire her back following maternity leave.
The complaint also states Ellis previously discussed with Danley that she would not be able to work during her Sabbath, which runs from sundown Friday through Saturday.
In 2023, Danley acknowledged Ellis’ religious accommodation requirement, telling her that he had friends who observed the same Sabbath and that he knew about it, and he had no problem making this faith-based accommodation.
Ellis emailed with Danley in late December 2024 and January 2025 regarding returning to work. The complaint states Danley allegedly told Ellis the only part-time spots available were for Friday evenings and Saturdays, which Ellis could not work due to her religious beliefs.
The complaint then argues she was retaliated against in connection with previous complaints made against her supervisor after delivering her third child.
Court records reveal Ellis is requesting compensatory damages, including but not limited to stress, frustration, mental anguish, and lost income, as well as punitive damages.
https://www.waff.com/2025/05/15/second-dispatcher-files-discrimination-lawsuit-against-city-huntsville/
