Hugh Hefner - Hefner Sued For Firing Playboy Party Planner

Playboy boss HUGH HEFNER is facing legal action for unfair dismissal after his company's former party planner alleged she was fired while on medical leave.

Jenny Lewis filed suit against Playboy Enterprises in a Los Angeles court earlier this week (begs04Jan10), naming the publishing mogul as a defendant.

She claims she was given permission from Playboy bosses to take as much time off as required after undergoing surgery and was stunned to receive a letter of termination on 4 November (09) while she was still in recovery, ending her 11 years of employment.

Lewis' lawsuit accuses Playboy executives of 12 counts of liability relating to the California Employment and Fair Housing Act.

She goes on to accuse her former employers of gender discrimination, detailing a number of other cases where female workers were demoted to less important roles in Hefner's Los Angeles residence, the Playboy Mansion.

Representatives for Hefner and Playboy have yet to respond to the lawsuit.