Dallas Business Lawyer Blog

Texas Jury Sides With Manager In Race Discrimination Suit

A jury awarded $44,500 to a man who claimed that he was fired for complaining about racial harassment. In 2007, David Luchak lost his job as an assistant manager at an AutoZone store in Harris County. In the weeks prior to his termination, Luchak, who is white, said that he had complained to the district manager that store manager Jewel Robins, who is black, had made offensive racial remarks and assaulted him. Luchak said his district manager laughed off the incidents and told him not to report them to human resources. Luchak complied, but was soon fired for alleged insubordination and records tampering. Luchak said the reasons the company gave for his termination were pretextual and that he was really fired because of his race and complaints.

Jury Rejects Race As A Factor For Denied Promotion

A jury rejected claims that a company refused to promote one of its workers because he is Hispanic. Epifanio Zuniga, an employee in the information technology department of Grant Prideco, said he applied for three different management positions in 2006 and 2007, but was rejected. He alleged he didn't get the promotions because of his race, noting that the jobs went to white applicants. He also said he wasn't promoted in retaliation for a racial discrimination complaint he filed against a supervisor in 2004. Grant Prideco argued Zuniga wasn't picked for the positions because other applicants were more qualified. It also contended that Zuniga received a promotion in 2005, after he had complained about his supervisor. 

 

Business Pays 125K To Settle Discrimination Claim

A business agreed to pay $125,000 to settle claims that three former employees were victims of a hostile work environment and discrimination. In 2007, Johnny Lezar, Keith Weir and Jason Glenn worked for Total Electric and Supply Co., operating as Tessco, in Midland. The men, who are white, claimed that during their employment, their Hispanic supervisor and Hispanic co-workers subjected them to name-calling and taunting in English and Spanish. The men said the company took no action in response to their complaints. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Tessco on their behalf. Tessco denied the allegations and said the men never reported the alleged behavior. However, it ultimately agreed to the settlement, as well as various preventative measures against discrimination. 

 

Supreme Court Rules for White Firefighters Over Promotion

 

The Supreme Court has ruled that white firefighters in New Haven, Conn., were unfairly denied promotions because of their race, reversing a decision that high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor endorsed as an appeals court judge.

Man Fired For Complaining About Racist Comments Settles Lawsuit

 

A man who alleged he was fired for complaining about racist remarks in the workplace received a $175,000 settlement. Andra Williams claimed he was terminated from his job at Maverick Tube Corp.'s Conroe facility in 2006 in retaliation for complaining to the company's CEO that a manager had made racially offensive comments. The manager resigned after an investigation. Williams was later accused of threatening a superior with a similar investigation after he was denied a vacation day. Williams was then fired without an investigation. He also alleged that a human resources manager sent an e-mail recommending his termination while referencing his previous complaint. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Maverick on Williams' behalf, alleging the company had violated his civil rights. Maverick argued Williams was fired for legitimate, non-retaliatory reasons, but agreed to the settlement before trial.