A Delaware man is suing his Pennsylvania-based employer, The Boeing Co., alleging violation of his civil rights in 2013 and 2014.
Thomas K. Vaughan Jr. of New Castle, Del., sued The Boeing Co. of Ridley Park, Pa., in the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Aug. 26, claiming unlawful racial discrimination and retaliation from October 2014 through January 2015.
According to the complaint, Vaughan was hired by Boeing on or about Feb. 5, 2009, as a full-time production controller. The suit states that Vaughan, the only African-American employed in his particular unit, was not provided adequate training for his tasks but instead was advised to “just practice” by the defendant.
Alleging that he was subjected to harassment and micro-management following an absence from work in October 2013, the plaintiff avers that he complained to human resources but no actions were taken. Instead, the suit states, he was disciplined with a three-day suspension for a minor infraction which he had not actually committed, he says; and then was terminated on Jan. 27, 2014, again allegedly for pretextual reasons.
Claiming that he was unfairly blamed because of his race and subjected to hostility in retaliation for complaining, Vaughan filed a grievance with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The plaintiff seeks declaratory and injunctive action, punitive damages to be determined at trial, interest, attorneys’ and expert witness fees, and court costs. The plaintiff is represented Robert T. Vance Jr. by The Law Offices of Robert T. Vance Jr. in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania 2:15-cv-04845-GAM