NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A whiskey blender is suing her former employer, Diageo North America, after she says she suffered severe and pervasive discrimination.
Eboni Major's lawsuit, filed April 8 in New York County Supreme Court, says she was forced to quit because of a hostile work environment that favored white employees. Major is suing under the New York City Humans Right Law, though she spent much of her time at Diageo working in Kentucky.
She started as a blending intern in 2015 and became a Bulleit-brand blending quality specialist in January 2019.
But in 2017, she says she complained to human resources about a pros and cons list by her supervisor that listed "victim mentality" as a con. She also says a maintenance manager once asked her "Hey poufy head, what happened to the dreads?"
"This was obviously a reference to Ms. Major's change in hairstyle from braids to natural hair, and a pointed comment on Ms. Major's race," the suit says. "Such commentary created a hostile work environment."
Other alleged instances of racism include:
-Being asked about a crime in front of her supervisory and the questioner using her race as a reason;
-Overhearing white workers claiming Black individuals should "get over statues";
-Being blamed for the company not commemorating Black History Month; and
-Performing extra work while receiving no compensation.
Laura Trachtman is representing Major. Diageo executive vice president of corporate relations Stephanie Childs said the company celebrates and values diversity.
"Ms. Major was a valued employee with substantial access to senior executives, who were working with her to further develop her career. When we learned of Ms. Major’s concerns and allegations, we took them very seriously, thoroughly reviewing each of them with great care utilizing internal, as well as external resources, and where appropriate we have reinforced training and guidelines," Childs said.
"Diageo does not tolerate discrimination – period. We are currently reviewing the litigation and will vigorously defend against the allegations."