Barbara Norris has filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination and retaliation by her former employer, Consumers Energy Company, and CMS Energy Corporation. The complaint was filed on December 11, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Norris claims that her emotional disability led to unfair treatment and eventual termination from her job after nearly two decades of service.
According to the complaint, Barbara Norris worked for Consumers Energy Company since 2007 and was diagnosed with severe depression in 2020. Despite her condition, she managed to perform her job duties effectively until she was placed under a new supervisor in September 2024. This change allegedly resulted in discriminatory behavior against Norris due to her disability. Her attempts to seek help from management and human resources were unsuccessful, leading to increased stress and hospitalization. After returning to work without any accommodations for her disability, Norris was terminated within weeks.
Norris accuses Consumers Energy Company and CMS Energy Corporation of violating several laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Michigan’s Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act (PWDCRA), and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). She alleges that the defendants failed to provide reasonable accommodation for her disability and retaliated against her when she sought assistance. The complaint details how Norris was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan following complaints about unequal treatment, which she believes was retaliatory.
The plaintiff is seeking various forms of relief from the court including compensation for lost wages and benefits, equitable relief, compensatory damages, punitive damages, liquidated damages under FMLA, as well as attorney fees and costs. She argues that these actions by Consumers Energy Company were done with malice or reckless indifference towards her rights.
Representing Barbara Norris is attorney Jack W. Schulz from Schulz Law PLC based in Detroit, Michigan. The case is identified as Case No. 2:25-cv-13996-JJCG-APP in front of an unnamed judge at this stage.
Source: 225cv13996_Barbara_Norris_v_Consumers_Energy_Complaint_Eastern_Distrcit_of_Michigan.pdf
