An Alameda County jury has awarded $1.27 million to an African-American BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) train mechanic who claimed his superiors retaliated against him after he complained about harassment by a co-worker.
The employee, Oliver Hill, complained to BART after a white co-worker called him a racial slur, hit him, and kicked him with steel-toed boots. Hill contended that BART never investigated his complaint. But, when the co-worker complained that Hill was harassing him—including that Hill had sarcastically said “excuse me” when the co-worker blocked his way to the water cooler—BART reprimanded Hill without giving him an opportunity to respond to the charges. Hill was also placed on leave and sent to a psychiatrist.
BART, which denied the charges in Hill’s lawsuit, said it plans to appeal the verdict.
Additional Resources:
Discrimination: EEOC Updates Guidance on Race and Color Bias, from the June 2006 issue of CEA. (Start your guest access and get this now)
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