Former John Deere employee sues for discrimination

A former John Deere executive has filed a federal gender-based discrimination lawsuit against the company. According to a report from Iowa News Now Laura Eberlin worked at Deere for 24 years and served as Foundation Vice President. According to the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois on Friday, Eberlin took on most of the foundation president’s duties after Nathan Clark resigned in March 2024. She claims she received no pay raise despite the increased responsibilities and the company reassigned her after she pushed for pay adjustments. Eberlin resigned in November 2024. Eberlin applied for the open foundation president position after leaving the company, but John Deere confirmed she was not interviewed for the role. The lawsuit also claims a Deere representative contacted Eberlin’s new employer, the University of Iowa, in what she claims as continued retaliation. Deere denies all the allegations. A trial date has not been set.