Curtis Anthony is suing Boeing for “allowing an atmosphere of racial hostility and harassment towards African Americans.”
What We Know:
- Curtis Anthony is a quality inspector for the Boeing plant in North Charleston, South Carolina and has been working for the company since May 2011 though he claims the hostility and harassment did not begin until May 2017.
- Anthony has filed a federal lawsuit against the company for continued harassment at the workplace. The lawsuit states that he is suing for discrimination on the basis of race, retaliation, intentional infliction of emotional distress violations of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and breach of contract.
- According to Anthony, his mostly white coworkers often used the n-word around him. They even urinated on his desk and chair on various occasions. These incidents were reported to supervisors and managers but nothing was resolved. Anthony said this caused him “extreme stress” and forced him to take medical leave to get treatment.
- As a result of taking medical leave, Anthony stated he was passed up for “numerous” promotions, which were given to “less qualified Caucasians”, as a form of “retaliation” for taking leave.
- The incident that finally caused Anthony to file a lawsuit was finding a noose hanging over his desk. In March 2019, Anthony had returned from working in New Orleans and found the noose. This was immediately reported to HR after which he went on medical leave once again.
- Libba Holland, Boeing spokesperson, released a statement regarding the lawsuit. “Most of Mr. Anthony’s allegations were never brought to the attention of management, giving the company no opportunity to investigate these claims. The single issue he did raise was dealt with promptly in a fair manner.”
Further details on the lawsuit are pending.
