I don't know if her claims have any real merit but I suspect it's become part of the unofficial vindictive employee playbook to make a discrimination complaint

I don't know if her claims have any real merit but I suspect it's become part of the unofficial vindictive employee playbook to make a discrimination complaint anytime you're facing termination for cause. Everyone who isn't a straight white male is a member of at least one protected class. The most we can do is play the whistleblower-retribution card, even if it's a farce. It appears to be worth attempting-- it costs you nothing and shakes the employer down for a quick and favorable settlement to shut you up. I've seen it done by two ex-employees in the last three years, and there was a recent news article about a woman at some insurer who was submitting timecards for hours worked while caught redhanded as AWOL...she immediately cried discrimination too.