Party tent company slacked on safety, booted worker who complained, N.J. lawsuit says

A former office manager has filed a lawsuit against Alan Party & Tent Rentals of South Hackensack, alleging a range of workplace grievances, including gender discrimination, unsafe practices, and tax violations.
Jane Alzate-Santos, 43, of Franklin Lakes, who worked for the Bergen County-based company since 1998, claims in court papers she was forced to resign Oct. 30 in what she describes as a “constructive discharge.”
Alzate-Santos accuses company owner and principal Robert Fox of creating a hostile work environment through discriminatory treatment and retaliation, according to the lawsuit, filed Nov. 6 in Superior Court of Bergen County.
Fox and company representatives did not immediately respond Wednesday to calls and an email seeking comment on the lawsuit.
According to court documents, Alzate-Santos raised concerns about several issues, including Fox’s alleged failure to deposit cash receipts into company accounts, avoid tax violations, and implement basic safety protocols.
She claims in the suit workers lacked training on setting up tents and handling chemicals, which she said violated state and federal safety laws.
Alzate-Santos also alleges she was subjected to gender discrimination, including limitations on her lunch breaks, restrictions on wearing heels, and pressure not to take pregnancy disability leave.
She claims in court papers Fox treated her differently than male employees and removed her executive authority without explanation, creating a “sexually hostile environment.”
In her lawsuit, Alzate-Santos cites the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination and the Conscientious Employee Protection Act. She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as attorney fees.
The former employee claims her boss became “abrasive and rude” when she continued her complaints, and that he approached her nine days before she resigned and asked, “How do you want to handle this separation, just us or with lawyers?”
Alzate-Santos interpreted the alleged comments as a notice that she was about to be terminated. She resigned on Oct. 30, “in anticipation of being terminated, and feeling that she had no alternative,” the suit says.
The actions on behalf of the company resulted in a constructive discharge and an adverse employment action, the suit says.
“Workers should be highly trained when putting up or taking down tents to avoid injuries,” said attorney Lydia Kotz, of Ramsey, who filed the lawsuit. “(Alzate) could no longer work as a manager under these dire conditions and therefore decided to leave.”
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.