Racial Slur And Noose Harassment Lawsuit

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (”EEOC”) attorneys announced in a July 16, 2009 Press Release that the EEOC filed an employment discrimination lawsuit against a Tampa-based environmental clean-up company alleging that the company violated federal law by discriminating against and racially harassing African American employees, including the display of hangman’s nooses.  More specifically, the EEOC Press Release states that the company subjected its black workers to a racially hostile work environment, discriminatory terms and conditions of employment, and unlawfully retaliated against an employee when he complained about the discrimination.  See, http://www.eeoc.gov/press/7-16-09.html .  According to the Press Release, the lawsuit also alleges that the company created a hostile work environment for a white worker who associated with African American employees.  The EEOC’s District Director in Chicago claimed in the Press Release that black employees were subjected to a noose exhibited on a white co-worker’s vehicle.  When the workers complained to the superintendent about the noose, he allegedly took no action, but rather responded that “maybe the white employee liked the noose.”  The District Director added that the EEOC’s investigation found that white workers referred to black co-workers as “n—-rs” and other racially derogatory terms.  One of the white workers who stood up for the African American workers was referred to as a “n—-r lover” and subjected to other derogatory comments and treatment.  An EEOC attorney was quoted in the Press Release as saying that “Because of Title VII - which is the law of the land - there is no longer any place for racism in any American workplace covered by federal law, especially the virulent and open sort alleged here.” 

In this regard, the EEOC is a federal agency which enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination.  Further information about the EEOC may be located in the agency’s website at www.eeoc.gov . 

Whether employment related race discrimination and harassment occurs in Texas or elsewhere, victims of workplace racial harassment may contact the EEOC and an attorney to determine if a racial harassment lawsuit is ultimately appropriate under the particular circumstances and facts of the potential employment discrimination claim.