Marriott International is facing a federal lawsuit filed by a former employee who claims he was dismissed after repeatedly raising concerns about discrimination and unfair treatment in the workplace. The case has been filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and centres on allegations of retaliation following internal complaints.
The lawsuit was brought by Roaldo Sulejmani, who worked as an assistant rooms operations manager. He joined the hospitality group in August 2024 at The Westin Michigan Avenue before being transferred to Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in May 2025. According to the complaint, problems began shortly after he started raising concerns about workplace conduct.
The filing alleges that Sulejmani reported several instances of inappropriate behaviour by a colleague to his immediate manager. However, he claims the complaints did not lead to any action. At the same time, he says he was disciplined for relatively minor workplace issues. In August 2025, he escalated his concerns to the hotel’s general manager, stating that he was facing unfair treatment based on race and gender.
The lawsuit claims that the issue was later referred to another senior manager, who allegedly dismissed the concerns rather than investigating them. The complaint also alleges that the employee was discouraged from filing formal reports.
Tensions reportedly escalated further after Sulejmani complained about a colleague discarding his paperwork, an incident he claims was captured on security cameras. The lawsuit states that his access to the footage was later restricted while other managers retained access.
In September 2025, Sulejmani was suspended over allegations of misconduct involving a guest and for carrying pepper spray. He disputes those claims and argues the incident involved a trespasser who had previously been barred from the property.
Sulejmani was terminated in October 2025. The lawsuit seeks financial damages and a jury trial, while the court has not yet ruled on the merits of the case. The dispute highlights the legal and reputational risks companies face when workplace complaints escalate into litigation.
