Jury Awards $280,000 for Black Manager’s Racial Slurs Toward Black Co-Worker| NJ Discrimination Laws

By Thomas McKinney
Partner

If a black manager uses the N-word in speaking with another black employee, does that create a hostile work environment?  Yes, according to a federal jury in New York. Jurors awarded Brandi Johnson $250,000 in compensatory damages and $30,000 in punitive damages after finding that her manager’s four-minute rant about proper work attire was hostile and discriminatory.  The manager, Rob Carmona, claimed he used the N-Word repeatedly as a term of endearment toward Ms. Johnson, who is also black.  During the trial, Ms. Johnson testified that, “I was offended. I was hurt. I felt degraded. I felt disrespected. I was embarrassed.”

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About the Author

Tom McKinney is an experienced NJ Employment Lawyer in all major areas of labor and employment law, including discrimination, harassment, overtime violations, wage and hour claims, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, LAD, FLSA, and all other employment law claims. Tom is admitted to practice in the States of New Jersey and New York, United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Southern District of New York, District of New Jersey, and United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Prior to forming the firm, Tom practiced at Gibbons P.C. in Newark, NJ. If you have any questions regarding this article, contact Tom here today.