Federal suit alleges Kaiser Foundation ignored racist treatment at Tacoma Medical Center
A federal lawsuit alleges the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington neglected to address racial discrimination at its Tacoma Medical Center.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claims Darlene Hayden, a Black lab assistant, asked a co-worker to stop using the N-word in the workplace. Her colleague apologized, yet continued to use the slur in front of her. For months, Hayden reported the issue to managers, human resources and Kaiser's anonymous employee hotline, yet the health care provider did nothing to address the incidents, the commission said.
“Whether a racial slur is aimed at the employee reporting it or not, employers must act to stop such workplace conduct immediately,” said Nancy Sienko, acting district director for the federal commission's San Francisco District, which includes Washington. “It is unacceptable and against the law for employers to fail to intercede when their employees report racial epithets, particularly those associated with such historical weight and injury.”
In a statement, the health care provider said it has "a deep and abiding commitment to racial equity."
https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2021/10/07/kaiser-foundation-discrimination-lawsuit.html