ORLANDO, Florida – A mid-Florida company that operates several phosphorus mines fired a Black employee after she hotly complained about being called a monkey, a slur that one employee said was used all the time, a new lawsuit charged today. Another Black female filed similar claims in a separate case filed yesterday. She was also fired after her complaints.
After the incident, the company counseled but did not fire the White male supervisor who used the slur, and urged the boss to be “more racially sensitive.”
Jim Garrity represents both women and filed their cases in federal court in the Middle District of Florida.
According to the lawsuits, the two women drove 50-ton “haul trucks” – basically giant dump trucks intended for off-road use only – in the rough and tumble world of mine operations. Both performed well and had survived a range of insults and taunts by male and White employees. Their careers came to a swift end, however, when they spoke out about the use of racial slurs like “Monkey,” or the expression that they “looked like monkeys f**king a football.” Both women complained about many other discriminatory actions toward them as well.
Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on their race and gender. It also violates laws forbidding retaliation against employees who speak up. Garrity filed suit (Owens v. Global Contracting Group, LLC, Case No. 5:24-cv-00581-JSM-PRL) In U.S. District Court following proceedings before the Equal Employment Commission (EEOC).
“Employers must protect all employees from racial harassment at work,” said Garrity, who specializes in employment law and only represents employees. “And when employees complain of harassment, employers cannot fire those employees because of their complaints.”
Do you need help with a workplace issue? Email Jim Garrity privately at Jim@JimGarrityLaw.com with a summary of your issue, and ask for a free confidential consultation. Garrity never charges a consultation fee, a retainer fee, or any other, and he only gets paid if he recovers for you.
Jim Garrity, Esq. - Employee Rights Lawyer 
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