A Connecticut Post reporter with decades of experience covering the Valley has filed a complaint with a state commission alleging age discrimination at the newspaper.
The complaint was filed Dec. 5 by Anne Amato, the Post’s Valley reporter, before the state’s Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.
The specific allegations contained in Amato’s complaint are unknown, but the Valley Indy has learned the reporter alleges age discrimination.
Amato worked at the former Evening Sentinel some 20 years ago. She also worked at The Hour in Norwalk.
At the Post, she’s previously served as Naugatuck Valley bureau chief.
Prior to her most recent assignment as a Valley beat reporter, she was a state editor with the Post.
The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities investigates accusations of discrimination in the work place. They field complaints on matters such as ageism, gender bias, racism and sexual harassment.
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Jim O’Neill, a spokesman for the commission, could only confirm the existence of Amato’s complaint this week.
O’Neill said that in general, officials with the commission would “still be early in the process” of investigating.
He said complaints that can’t be addressed quickly through mediation can take up to two to three years to be resolved if the matter goes to a hearing. It depends mostly on the complexity of the issues raised.
Reached Monday, Amato declined to comment. She referred questions to her lawyer, John Williams, of New Haven.
Reached Wednesday, Williams said: “I’d prefer to not make any comment on the matter at this time,” adding that doing so would be “premature.”
Phone and e‑mail messages seeking comment were also left Monday with the Post’s publisher, John DeAugustine.
According to the commission’s website, once a complaint is made, those alleged to have committed discrimination have 30 days to file a response under oath.
Within 90 days of that answer being received, state officials conduct a “merit assessment review” to see whether the complaint raises a valid issue.
If so, an investigator from the commission then reviews the case and determines whether cause exists to believe an employee’s rights have been violated.
The commission then works with the employee and employer to address the issue. If they can’t succeed, a “Human Rights Referee” decides the case at a public hearing.
If the referee decides discrimination has occurred, he or she can order remedies such as reinstatement, an award of back pay and lost benefits, or other restitution.
