In a lawsuit filed on June 17, 2024, in the Illinois federal court, former Amazon employee Dajon Collins accused the company of allowing a co-worker to harass him with homophobic slurs and subsequently firing him for complaining about it. The case, Collins v. Amazon.com Services LLC, sheds light on serious allegations of workplace discrimination and retaliation that violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Dajon Collins, who identifies as "not heterosexual," began working as an associate at Amazon in September 2020. His lawsuit claims that Valerie Jackson, a learning ambassador responsible for training new employees, repeatedly harassed him and treated him differently due to his sexual orientation. According to Collins, Jackson's inappropriate behavior included using homophobic slurs and making degrading comments.
Escalation and Human Resources’ Inaction
The harassment reportedly escalated in October 2023 when Jackson referred to Collins with a homophobic slur in front of a new employee. Collins, accompanied by the new employee who corroborated his account, reported the incident to Amazon's Human Resources (HR) department. However, HR allegedly dismissed the complaint, stating that nothing could be done. Collins further claimed that HR failed to conduct a proper investigation or take necessary precautions to prevent further harassment.
Continued Harassment and Retaliation
Following the initial complaint, Collins experienced further hostile behavior from Jackson. He described an incident where Jackson invaded his personal space, yelled at him, and acted aggressively. When Collins attempted to record the interaction on his phone, Jackson quickly altered her behavior to make it appear as if they were discussing work-related matters. Despite capturing some of Jackson's aggression on video, Collins was reprimanded for recording at work, and HR continued to ignore his complaints.
HR's response to the situation was to move Collins closer to Jackson, exacerbating his distress. Collins felt increasingly unsafe and unsupported, leading him to believe that HR was not going to assist him. Over the following months, Jackson continued her harassment by mocking Collins’ walk, making derogatory comments, and calling him "stupid" and "ghetto."
Termination and Legal Action
On April 4, 2024, after enduring months of harassment without any resolution, Collins was terminated by Amazon. The company cited mistakes and excessive "idle time" as reasons for his dismissal. Collins disputed these claims, arguing that he consistently received positive performance reviews. He believes his termination was retaliatory, stemming from his complaints about harassment and discrimination.
Collins' lawsuit seeks various forms of compensation, including back pay, front pay, lost benefits, and compensatory damages for emotional pain and suffering. He is also seeking punitive damages and attorney fees. He is represented by Chad W. Eisenback and Nathan C. Volheim of Sulaiman Law Group Ltd.
Implications for Workplace Policies
This case underscores the importance of robust anti-discrimination policies and the need for companies to address complaints of harassment and discrimination promptly and effectively. Employers must ensure a safe and inclusive work environment where all employees, regardless of their sexual orientation, can work without fear of harassment or retaliation.
The lawsuit against Amazon highlights critical issues of workplace discrimination and the company's response to harassment complaints. As the case progresses, it will serve as a significant example of the legal and ethical obligations employers have towards their employees. Ensuring proper handling of discrimination and harassment complaints is not only a legal requirement but also essential for fostering a respectful and supportive workplace culture.
Note: Representatives of Amazon and the involved parties have not yet responded to requests for comments regarding the lawsuit. The case details provided are based on the initial filing and may evolve as the legal proceedings continue.