A longtime custodian at Sussex County Community College is suing the school and two former bosses, claiming he was harassed, discriminated against and ultimately fired because of his age, Russian nationality and religious beliefs.
Sergey Stolyarov, 68, filed the federal lawsuit on April 22 in U.S. District Court, claiming the college, an administrator and a supervisor discriminated against him.
“I will fire you. You are old and you only have a year left,” an administrator allegedly told Stolyarov, according to the complaint.
The administrator, who has since left the school to work in another state, said Thursday he had no comment, and referred questions to the college.
A spokesperson for Sussex County Community College did not respond to a request for comment.
The complaint alleges the college violated federal civil rights laws and New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination by creating a hostile work environment and retaliating against Stolyarov for objecting to religious and cultural bias.
Stolyarov has worked at the college for 24 years and has had “glowing reviews.” He holds degrees in engineering and education, according to the complaint.
But he claims the college passed him over for promotion in early 2023 despite being the most senior employee in his department.
Instead, the school hired a woman who was 35 at the time and “unfamiliar with college structure, procedure, and custodial work,” the lawsuit states.
Soon after the woman’s appointment, Stolyarov says he began experiencing discrimination and hostility based on his age, national origin, and Russian Orthodox faith.
He says his bosses repeatedly singled him out, increased his workload without additional pay, and imposed unrealistic cleaning deadlines not required of younger staff.
The complaint describes an incident in March 2023 when his supervisor allegedly ordered Stolyarov to clean a single-occupancy restroom with an unfamiliar young woman, something he says went against his religious beliefs.
“You! Go to the bathroom with her!” the supervisor yelled, pointing at Stolyarov and raising her voice, according to the lawsuit. She repeatedly shouted the command, the filing states.
Stolyarov “felt humiliated by this,” the lawsuit says.
When he refused, he was given a written warning and soon accused of poor work performance, despite what he describes as a spotless record and excellent reviews from previous supervisors.
The lawsuit states Stolyarov tried to report his supervisor for unfair treatment to an administrator at the college.
But the administrator allegedly told Stolyarov, “You have to please her,” the lawsuit claims.
Stolyarov alleges he was denied overtime, not allowed the same break privileges as younger coworkers, and given just minutes to travel between buildings.
The complaint says he developed high blood pressure, anxiety and dizziness as a result of the alleged treatment, and at one point fell down a staircase at work.
He also claims his supervisor tried to prevent him from reporting that workplace injury.
Stolyarov says he attempted to resolve the issue through union mediation, which required both parties to attend counseling. He says he complied, but his supervisor did not.
In October 2023, he was fired. The college cited poor work performance as the reason, but Stolyarov contends it was a pretext for unlawful discrimination.
The lawsuit seeks reinstatement, back pay, monetary damages, and attorney’s fees.
The suit includes claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.
Stories by Anthony G. Attrino
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com.