The case highlights the ways in which discrimination can occur.
Recently, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against the online sales giant Fanatics Retail Group, Inc. The lawsuit alleges that the company subjected an employee to racial discrimination and harassment. In addition, the EEOC claims that Fanatics failed to promote this employee in retaliation for him complaining about his treatment.
The lawsuit, which was filed in Florida against the Jacksonville office of Fanatics, demonstrates the many ways in which the EEOC may determine that a company has discriminated against an employee. In this case, the employee, Vincent Perkins, is an African American man. The EEOC alleges that he was subjected to racial slurs and unfair treatment from Fanatics management.
According to the lawsuit, a Fanatics general manager called black employees “monkeys or Africans,” while a human resources manager called black employees “baboons.” During his employment, Mr. Perkins heard or was told of other comments, such as “Africans in Europe know their place, but not in the United States,” “Why does he have those big Aunt Jemima lips,” and “I mean you can read? I’m not racist, but a lot of you (black) guys can’t read.”
Although Mr. Perkins was in line for a promotion, after he complained to human resources about the racial discrimination and harassment that he had experienced, he was told that he would never be promoted. Instead, he claims that the harassment only increased — which he believes was a tactic that was designed to make him quit.
Fanatics, which has partnerships with the National Football League, Major League Baseball and other sports organizations, denies the charges. The EEOC is seeking a number of damages for Mr. Perkins, including back pay, punitive damages and compensation for past and future losses.
While this case is specific to the treatment experienced by Mr. Perkins, as an employment discrimination attorney can explain, it highlights the different ways that employees may experience racial discrimination and harassment in the workplace. While this type of treatment may be overt — such as the infamous case of co-workers hanging a noose in an employee’s locker — it can also be more subtle. Even if the comments are not directed at a particular employee, they can still be part of a pattern that forms a discriminatory workplace. A skilled employment discrimination attorney can help employees determine if the conduct that they are experiencing rises to the level of harassment or discrimination.
Workplace discrimination cases can be complicated, particularly if an employer is skilled at hiding its motivations in refusing to promote employees behind other rationales. A seasoned employment discrimination attorney can help put together a case demonstrating the true cause for a discriminatory or retaliatory action.
At PLBH, our attorneys have more than forty years of experience assisting employees who have suffered discrimination and other forms of injustice in the workplace. We are dedicated to helping our clients get the compensation that they deserve if they have been treated unfairly by their employers. Contact us today at (800) 435-7542 or info@plblaw.com to schedule a consultation, or to learn more about how we can help if you have suffered discrimination, harassment or retaliation at work.