SCRANTON — A former Hershey factory worker alleges the company regularly discriminated against African American employees.
Paul Doaks filed a complaint April 15 against Hershey Creamery Company alleging race discrimination, wrongful termination and other claims.
Doaks, an African American male, began working as a factory worker for Hershey on Feb. 24, 2020, according to his suit. He alleges that supervisors at the company regularly discriminated against African American employees. Specifically, Doaks claims white workers were allowed more frequent breaks and allowed to use their paid time off during peak times while African American employees were not.
He further claims that after suffering a dislocated shoulder, he required reasonable accommodations and was not allowed to be out on light duty restrictions for his disability. Doaks claims he was forced to take medical leave because Hershey supervisors would not allow him to return to work until he could do "full duty with no restrictions" and then terminated his position during his leave. Doaks alleges Hershey's action violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Pennsylvania Human Rights Act.
Doaks seeks monetary relief, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by Joshua Ward and Travis Gordon of J.P. Ward & Associates LLC in Pittsburgh.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania case number 1:22-CV-00551-SHR