Longtime supervisor sues Cardinal Health over age and gender bias

Among them: Mason said “good morning” to O’Connor. He requested to exchange cell phone numbers with her, which he says was standard practice for all employees on his team. He helped set up her computer because IT was not available. He asked her “Are you mad at me?” after she spoke to him in what he perceived as an angry tone. He used the phrase “hey girl” when greeting O’Connor and other women on his staff. 

Mason says these interactions were either mischaracterized or taken out of context. He also points to security camera footage that he claims disproves at least one allegation — that he followed O’Connor out of the building at the end of her shift. 

Cardinal Health suspended Mason with pay on October 16, 2025, without providing a reason. Five days later, the company told him he could not return until its investigation wrapped up. Two days after that, on October 23, it let him go, citing “inappropriate comments to a female employee,” “violations of the standard of conduct,” and “harassment and bullying.” 

Mason contends the real reasons were his age and his gender. He argues that a female supervisor who behaved the same way would not have been fired, and that similar complaints from a male employee about a female coworker would have been easily dismissed. The lawsuit cites the 2025 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Ames v. Ohio Dept. of Youth Servs., which held that Title VII protections apply to members of majority groups as well. 

The filing also notes that O’Connor was not disciplined or terminated after she openly discussed a strip club with coworkers soon after joining the department.