Slur: "Monkey" Archives - Pospis Law, PLLC

April 30, 2025 by mjpospis

Race-Based Hostile Work Environment Claims Survive Summary Judgment; Allegations Include “Shine Box” and “Monkey” Comments

In Smith v. National Grid USA, 2:21-cv-6899 (NJC) (LGD), 2025 WL 1248676 (E.D.N.Y. April 30, 2025), the court, inter alia, denied defendant’s motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s race-based hostile work environment claims. From the decision: [T]here are numerous genuine disputes of material fact concerning Smith’s hostile work environment claims—under both the higher federal standard…

“Monkey” Comment Gives Rise to Actionable Race-Based Hostile Work Environment Claim, Court Holds

In Holmes v. Lloyd J. Austin, III, Civil Action No. 23-2415 (LLA), 2024 WL 4345829 (D.D.C. Sept. 30, 2024), the court, inter alia, denied defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s race-based hostile work environment claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. From the decision: Ms. Holmes alleges that Major Sinclair perpetuated a…

Race-Based Hostile Work Environment Claim Survives Summary Judgment

In Battle v. Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, 2023 WL 4868458 (M.D.N.C. July 31, 2023), the court, inter alia, denied defendant’s motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s race-based hostile work environment claim. Comprising plaintiff’s claim were several alleged racially derogatory comments, including that “all dark-skin blacks stink”, and comparing Michelle Obama to a “monkey.”…