Discriminating against employees based on their gender, race, religion, age or disability can get an employer in some serious legal trouble. In some cases, employers may feel like they are not doing anything wrong or they are may argue that they were unaware that certain discriminatory acts were taking place. However, these claims can quickly come under fire if and when an employee files a lawsuit citing discrimination.
That appears to be the case for one company and seven former employees. Although the case was heard in another state, it can serve as a serious reminder to employers and employees all across Maryland that discrimination can prove to be a costly mistake.
According to news reports, the seven employees filed a lawsuit against their former employer and stated that black and white employees were treated very differently by supervisors. They claimed that the workers were separated based on skin color and ordered to work on different sides of a warehouse.
Further, they stated that the black workers were regularly the targets of verbal and offensive racial slurs.
A jury heard the case and sided with the employees and awarded them nearly $15 million for punitive damages, lost wages and emotional distress.
While the company plans to appeal the decision, it does send a strong message that workplace discrimination is not tolerated and it can be grounds for significant legal and financial consequences.
Discrimination claims should be taken very seriously, by both employers and employees. These cases can be more complicated than people may realize and many people learn the hard way how overwhelming it can be to navigate the legal system. This is why it can be crucial for all parties involved in an employment dispute citing discrimination to have legal representation in order to protect themselves and their rights.
Source: Denver Business Journal, “Denver jury ends discrimination lawsuit with $15M verdict for workers,” Feb. 12, 2015