A former employee has filed a lawsuit against a healthcare facility, alleging racial discrimination and retaliation. Gloria Gaskin filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on August 23, 2024, against Penn Highlands Healthcare.
According to the complaint, Gaskin was hired as a Housekeeping Aide in the Environmental Services Department on June 18, 2024. From her first day at work, she alleges that she was subjected to a hostile work environment due to her race. A member of management named Kirk reportedly made racially derogatory comments in front of Gaskin and two white co-workers. Kirk allegedly said his niece was married to a "colored man" and pointed to the legs of a black chair, stating, "He's as black as this." He further explained that people from his town are called "coon dogs" and used other racial slurs such as "jig," derived from "jigaboo."
Gaskin reported these incidents to upper management but claims that no action was taken to stop the harassment. Instead, she experienced retaliation; her lunch was ransacked, and personal items were tampered with. Despite reporting these issues, Gaskin asserts that Penn Highlands Healthcare did not address her complaints or take any corrective measures.
The situation escalated when Gaskin's employment was terminated on July 29, 2024, without explanation or acknowledgment of her complaints about racial discrimination and retaliation. In her lawsuit, Gaskin accuses Penn Highlands Healthcare of violating The Civil Rights Act of 1866 (42 U.S.C. § 1981), which prohibits racial discrimination in contracts.
Gaskin is seeking various forms of relief from the court. She demands judgment against Penn Highlands Healthcare for front pay and back pay from the date of wrongful acts. Additionally, she seeks equitable relief, compensatory damages for lost income and benefits, punitive damages for emotional distress and suffering caused by the hostile work environment and retaliatory actions. She also requests prejudgment interest, post-judgment interest, reasonable attorney's fees including litigation expenses, and costs associated with this action.
The case is being handled by Thomas B. Anderson from Bordas & Bordas PLLC., located at 420 Fort Duquesne Blvd., Suite 1800 in Pittsburgh, PA. The case has been assigned Civil Action No. 4:24-CV-01436 with Judge Matthew W. Brann presiding.