Ex-Rachael Ray Employee Sues Over Anorexia Dismissal

by Jarrett Martineau | July 3, 2008 at 06:24 pm

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Eating disorders are diagnosed with a level of frequency that makes them appear almost commonplace. Indeed, disorders such as anorexia have become a significant health risk for both women and men.

Today, a former employee for E.V.O.O.-loving, celebrity chef Rachael Ray's cooking show, has filed a lawsuit against CBS, claiming he was harassed and eventually fired because he admitted that he suffers from anorexia.

NEW YORK — A former accountant for Rachael Ray's TV cooking show has filed a $1 million lawsuit saying he was forced out of his job because he has an eating disorder.

Aaron Ferguson says in papers filed in Manhattan's state Supreme Court that he has suffered from anorexia for about six years. He says his supervisor repeatedly exhibited "hostile behavior" and made "vile," discriminatory and hurtful comments.

The comments included, "Anorexics are sick in the head," and, "Anorexics should not be able to work," his court papers say.

Ferguson's lawyer, William H. Kaiser, said Thursday, "The things that were said in front of my client were hurtful, and once they knew he had a problem with it they should have stopped."

Ferguson says he repeatedly complained about his supervisor's use, in his presence, of discriminatory language regarding anorexics but their superiors did nothing that improved his situation.

Ferguson said he began working in July 2007 for CBS Television Distributions Inc., a CBS Corp. unit and the producer and owner of the "Rachael Ray" show. After he complained about his treatment, he says, he was forced out in October 2007.

Kaiser said the firing was retaliation: "He was punished for complaining."