The United States was established by individuals seeking more personal freedom. Today, millions of men and women of all ages, races, income brackets and sexual orientations enjoy these freedoms and live and work throughout the country. Many of these individuals have at one time or another faced some sort of discrimination. In cases where an individual reports suffering discrimination in the workplace, legal action may be appropriate.
Viewers who tune in to watch CNN may be unaware of a discrimination lawsuit pending against the 24-hour cable news network. The lawsuit was filed by a 33-year-old gay man who claims his former supervisor made disparaging comments about his attire and bullied him about his sexuality.
The 33-year-old began working as a technical operator at the cable news provider in 2002. During his time at CNN, the man was known by his co-workers and CNN hosts for his brightly colored attire. Bright blue and yellow tracksuits and tailored mariachi suits were among some of the 33-year-old employee’s most beloved outfits which he regularly donned while working behind the scenes of numerous CNN segments.
Although the majority of the 33-year-old’s colleagues enjoyed his fashion choices, at least one supervisor did not. A discrimination lawsuit filed by the former CNN employee, states that his supervisor asked him to stop wearing his mariachi suits to work citing they were “too flamboyant for a male in our department.” Additionally, the supervisor made additional comments that were sexually discriminatory in nature stating the 33-year-old may want to consider transferring to work in CNN’s “entertainment or makeup department.”
Upon being fired last June, the man filed a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. While the EEOC dismissed the man’s claim, he received a letter citing his “right to sue”. The man recently exercised that right, filing a $60 million workplace discrimination lawsuit.
Employees who have experienced discrimination, harassment or bullying at work would be wise to document each incident. Having documentation related to alleged acts and incidences of workplace discrimination is beneficial in the event an individual chooses to file a complaint with the EEOC and pursue litigation.
Source: The New York Daily News, “Ex-CNN employee claims boss fired him for being gay, called him ‘flamboyant’ in $60 million suit,” John Marzulli, May 22, 2014