Mount Laurel Teacher Forced Out of Job Due to Discrimination
July 17, 2019
A Mount Laurel, New Jersey teacher filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging she was discriminated against based on her race, creating a hostile work environment so severe she left her teaching position. The teacher, who is African American, stated in her lawsuit the treatment at the hands of her coworkers was repeatedly offensive and condescending and that she was subjected to comments and disparaging remarks because of her race.
The teacher’s lawsuit described incidents of harassment and in one situation, she stated she was told by coworkers that she was only hired because she was black. The teacher also claimed she was excluded from a class team despite being one of just three teachers involved and was told by a fellow teacher there was no time to cover Black History Month when she raised the idea.
Discrimination Laws and Recourse
Employees have the right to a workplace free from discrimination or harassment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Workplace discrimination based on sex, race, color, religion, nationality, age, or other protected characteristics is prohibited throughout the hiring, promotion, employment, and termination process. It includes a wide variety of acts, including unfair treatment, discriminatory remarks, and the creation of a hostile work environment.
The Mount Laurel teacher alleged that the atmosphere was so hostile that she was forced to resign from her teaching position despite her complaints to management. She stated that she took her complaints to the principal, who is also African American, and said that his response was that the teachers did not mean anything by it. She stated that he also advised her to be more like Jackie Robinson, who in 1947 was the first black Major League baseball player who also encountered significant discrimination because of his race. The teacher stated that during her two years of employment with the district, she had no record of written complaints or disciplinary actions.
Cherry Hill Employment Lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. Represent Victims of Race Discrimination in the Workplace
If you believe you were the subject of illegal workplace discrimination based on your race or another characteristic, a Cherry Hill employment lawyer at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. can help. We will obtain the compensation and justice you deserve. Located in Pennsauken, New Jersey, we represent clients throughout South Jersey. Please contact us for a free consultation through our online form or call us at 215-569-1999.
