LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A lawsuit alleges that Lansing’s fire chief instructed two male employees to check whether a female colleague wore a bra while on duty.

Attorneys for Cecilia Major filed the lawsuit on Nov. 20 in Ingham County. The claim includes violations of the state’s Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act for disparate treatment, retaliation, and a hostile work environment. In addition, the lawsuit claims that the department denied Major access to HR resources after raising concerns and threatened her with insubordination after she questioned the practices.

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The lawsuit names the city and Fire Chief Brian Sturdivant as defendants.

Attorney Hannah Fielstra told the media: “This case comes down to the male Fire Chief dictating what is worn under a woman’s clothing, when it has no bearing on Ms. Major’s ability to do her job as a first responder whose priority is keeping her community safe.”

In addition, Fielstra alleges that management singled out Major. “While an employer can require certain clothing, including undergarments, there must be a nondiscriminatory reason for doing so. This has been humiliating and demeaning for my client and harkens back to a 50s-era outlook on women, something no woman, or man, should have to endure today in the workplace,” she said.

Lansing city officials have not explained why Sturdivant was on leave from the city from Aug. 27 to Nov. 11. While the city does not make comments about pending litigation, Lansing Major Andy Schor told the media on Nov. 3 he had no concerns about Sturdivant returning to work and leading the department.