A former employee of a local HVAC shop has sued his former employer, alleging that he was fired immediately after he reported that a safety manager was intoxicated on the job.
Leonard Talmadge, a former employee of Air Distributors, Inc., doing business as The Metal Shop, filed the lawsuit under Florida’s Private Whistleblower Act on April 30.
Talmadge claims his termination was a direct act of retaliation for objecting to illegal activity.
According to the lawsuit, Talmadge worked at the company’s Dunnellon location from March 4, 2024, until he was fired on June 4, 2024.
Talmadge alleges that the conflict began on May 24, 2024, when he observed the company’s Safety Manager, identified in the suit as “Bob,” entering his office “smelling strongly of alcohol.”
Talmadge claims he consulted with other employees, including a truck driver and warehouse workers, who confirmed the smell and stated it was common for the manager to appear intoxicated at work.
Later that day, Talmadge reported his concerns to his supervisor. He argued that allowing an intoxicated safety manager to work violated the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
The supervisor reportedly dismissed the concern, stating the manager simply liked to drink at night and was “sweating it out.”
When Talmadge insisted the smell was coming directly from the manager’s breath, the supervisor told him he was “wrong” and walked away.
Talmadge was terminated shortly thereafter on June 4. While the company allegedly cited “inventory discrepancies” as the reason for his firing, Talmadge contends no such discrepancies existed and the reason was purely pretextual.
The lawsuit seeks damages for back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, and emotional distress, as well as attorney’s fees. Talmadge has also demanded a trial by jury.