Hollywood power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are being sued by a former secretary who claims she was dismissed for absenteeism while she was on sick leave, reports the Telegraph.
The Frenchwoman – who must remain anonymous in accordance with the confidentiality clause in her employment contract – worked as a bilingual secretary at the star couple’s Miraval chateau in southern France, and is suing for 80,000 euros ($110,000) for unfair dismissal.
Hired in January 2008, she went on sick leave in November 2009, and during that time was fired by a chateau manager for repeated absences, who told her it was detrimental to the smooth running of the property.
Lawyer for the former employee, Emmanuel Ludot, said he deliberately waited until Pitt and Jolie were in France for the Cannes Film Festival to publicize the lawsuit.
"This amount is a drop in the ocean for these stars,” said Ludot. "She has nothing against them personally and says she was always treated well. But they did not step in to prevent her being dismissed.”
The lawyer goes on to suggest that with the couple’s commitment to humanitarian causes, they “should understand that my client needs compensation as soon as possible, and that she’s not asking for millions, just a fair amount for unfair dismissal.”
The case will be decided by a labor tribunal in Draguignan, France, and a verdict is expected on June 7.