Oslo-based newspaper Dagens Næringsliv reported this week that Jerry Josleyn is suing Norsk Hydro's US subsidiary, Hydro Aluminum North America, claiming the company discriminated against him on the basis of age and illness.
Josleyn, age 57, worked in Hydro's aluminum plant in Indiana but was fired last year after he failed to comply with a company dress code. Hydro required plant workers to use long-sleeved shirts, for security reasons, Hydro said.
Josleyn claimed the policy made his worklife impossible, because it was too warm to work in long-sleeved shirts. He claims he could barely put in his normal eight-hour shift, much less overtime, without becoming dehydrated, experiencing body pain and fearing for his health.
He claims he notified management that he couldn't work unless he could simply wear a T-shirt, but that he never received an answer. Instead he received two warnings and finally a notice of firing.
Hydro lawyers have rejected Josleyn's claims and deny he has any right to compensation.
