U-Haul Agrees to Pay $750,000 to Settle Racial Harassment and Retaliation Suit
Last week, U-Haul agreed to pay $750,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by eight African-American current and former employees claiming racial discrimination and retaliation. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) had brought forth the lawsuit on behalf of the eight plaintiffs. According to the lawsuit, a white supervisor had subjected the employees to racial slurs and other racially charged comments at a U-Haul facility in Memphis. The complaint alleged that the manager had regularly referred to the black employees with racial slurs. The complaint also stated that the company engaged in retaliation by firing one employee when complaints were made to the supervisor.
The alleged conduct violates what is known as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The EEOC had filed suit in federal court in the Western District of Tennessee.
In addition to the payment of $750,000, the consent decree enjoined U-Haul from discriminating against its employees on the basis of race and from any retaliation against its workers who may assert their rights under Title VII in the future. In addition, U-Haul is required to implement a policy that prevents racial discrimination through training.
If you believe that you have been the victim of harassment or retaliation at your workplace, contact our Tennessee employment attorneys. We would be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
