Numerous nooses were found on a Louisiana construction site, causing the U.S. government to sue Exxon Mobil. There are accused of failing to address racial discrimination.
According to a lawsuit filed on Thursday, a black worker named Milferd McGhee discovered and reported a noose in January 2020 at the Baton Rouge business.
The case asserts that Exxon should have ceased the harassment by now. Another noose was discovered in December 2020. There have been five prior noose discoveries on the site between 2016 and 2020.
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit alleging that the oil corporation violated federal law. They investigated just a few noose-related instances at the Baton Rouge chemical plant.
A noose is a classic symbol of violence associated with the hanging of African-Americans. These symbols are fundamentally unfriendly and provide a vastly different work environment for black individuals. According to Elizabeth Owen
According to Rudy Sustaita, an attorney with the EEOC’s Houston, Texas office, employers who become aware of racially insulting or threatening conduct in the workplace “have a legal obligation to take prompt, remedial action aimed at eliminating it.”
Exxon Mobil indicated in its response that the company disagreed with the EEOC’s findings and accusations. It noted that it “encouraged staff to raise such difficulties, and we thoroughly investigated”
The following remark from Todd Spitler, an official representative of the company: “We have a zero-tolerance policy for any kind of harassment or discrimination in the workplace by or against employees, contractors, suppliers, or customers.”
“The company not doing enough”
In April 2016, a worker at the chemical plant reported a rope fashioned into a noose hanging from a scaffold, resulting in the removal of two contractors.
Four additional noose occurrences were later reported at the site. The EEOC determined that Exxon had not taken all of the required precautions to prevent future racial discrimination.
The lawsuit seeks an end to racial discrimination at Exxon. It also seeks to implement rules and measures to guarantee that all employees are treated equitably.
Mr. McGhee, an employee since 2010, will be compensated for the mental pain, embarrassment, and loss of dignity.
This lawsuit was filed following the finding of nooses near the planned Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago.
