When we read about workplace discrimination in the news, it is often from the perspective of the alleged victim. However, every discrimination case has two sides: the alleged victim’s and the employer’s. It is crucial to remember that both sides have the right to present their case in the courtroom, even if their stances are not equally considered in the media.
A case playing out in another state should be a good reminder to Maryland readers that discrimination claims often consist of two very different accounts. It also serves as a reminder of how important it can be for employers to have skilled legal representation in the event that they are facing accusations of discriminatory practices.
Reports indicate that a transgender woman worked as a police officer when she was allegedly the victim of discrimination and wrongful termination. In 2012, she shared with her fellow officers that she was transgender and says that she was then subjected to harassment and verbal abuse on the job before she was fired. She argues that her repeated efforts to report the behavior were ignored and the city failed to appropriately investigate her claims.
However, the city has a very different account of what happened before the officer was fired. According to the mayor, the woman’s termination was based on administrative reasons and had nothing to do her gender identity and was not retaliatory for reporting harassment. Among other issues, the woman had allegedly failed a physical evaluation and did not report the fact that she had been arrested for DUI. The city also states that the woman filed one report of abusive language from a sergeant and it responded appropriately by suspending the sergeant without pay for 10 days.
This case likely has many similarities to other cases involving allegations of discrimination. Employers can be painted in a negative light and scrutinized in the media based on the accusations of one worker. In order to protect a company’s reputation and defend against baseless or inaccurate claims, business owners should take any situation involving purported discrimination very seriously and take steps to defend against the allegations.
Source: Associated Press, “Connecticut city fires transgender officer amid claims of discrimination, hostile workplace,” Dave Collins