News & Politics

Verizon Worker Wins Millions In Discrimination Suit

by CBS New York

📚 Main Topics

Discrimination ClaimA former Verizon employee, Adonna Brew, claimed discrimination based on his race after being penalized for dress code violations.
Jury VerdictBrew was awarded over $2.6 million in damages by a jury.
Company ResponseVerizon contested the jury's decision, asserting that they do not tolerate discrimination.

✨ Key Takeaways

Dress Code EnforcementBrew argued that he was unfairly targeted for violating a dress code that was not consistently enforced among his coworkers.
Racial DisparitiesBrew noted that he was the only white coworker in his team, suggesting that his treatment was racially motivated.
Legal PrecedentThe case highlights the challenges employees face when standing up against large corporations and the potential for significant legal victories.

🧠 Lessons Learned

Importance of Fair TreatmentThe case underscores the need for equitable enforcement of workplace policies, regardless of an employee's race.
Standing Up for PrinciplesBrew emphasized that his actions were driven by principle, encouraging others who feel wronged to pursue justice.
Corporate AccountabilityThe outcome serves as a reminder for companies to ensure their management practices are fair and non-discriminatory, and to provide adequate training for their managers.

CBS2 News At 5 Carolyn Gusoff Local TV New York

Transcript excerpt

0:00 WITH THE POLICE. A MAN WAS AWARDED $2 MILLION BY A JURY CLAIMING THAT VERIZON DISCRIMINATEDED AGAINST HIM. Reporter: FIRE ISLAND IS THE BEACH COMMUNITY KNOWN FOR ITS LAID BACK ATTITUDE SO WHILE EMPLOYED AS A FIELD TECH FOR VERIZON, ADONNA BREW TOOK OFF HIS VERIZON LOGOED SHIRT OPTING FOR AN UNDERSHIRT HE COULD RINSE OFF AFTER WORKING IN POISON ISLAND.

0:32 I'VE ALWAYS GONE BY THE BOOK BUT ON FIRE ISLAND, RARELY ANYONE WORE THEIR SHIRTS. Reporter: BUT HE WAS PLUCKED FROM THE ASSIGNMENT AND HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE MAIN LAND WHERE THE DOMINICAN BORN FORMER MARINE WOULD MAKE FAR LESS OVERTIME. VERIZON SAID HE REPEATEDLY VIOLATED DRESS CODE. THE CONCLUSION I CAME TO WAS THAT I WAS THE ONLY WHITE COWORKER. WE HAD COWORKERS THAT WERE WHITE THAT CAME IN AND TESTIFIED

1:03 THAT NO ONE FOLLOWED THAT RULE. Reporter: THE JURY AGREED. HE WAS AWARDED OVER $2.6 MILLION IN DAMAGES. I DID THIS OUT OF PRINCIPLE. I KNEW IT WOULD BOTHER ME ALL OF MY LIFE. THIS IS A MAJOR VICTIM FOR PLAINTIFFS WHO SAY I'VE BEEN WRONGED AND THEY THINK THEY CAN'T GO UP AGAINST THE GOLIATH. I HOPE THEY LEARNED THEIR LESSON. I'M HAPPY TO BE THE ONE THAT

1:33 STOOD UP TO THEM. THERE ARE CERTAIN MANAGERS THAT NEED TO BE TRAINED. Reporter: VERIZON SAID THEY RESPECT THE JURY SYSTEM BUT THIS JURY GOT IT WRONG. VERIZON DOES NOT TOLERATE DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORK PLACE I IT DID NOT HAPPEN HERE. THE SPOKESPERSON SAID THAT VERIZON HAS ONE OF THE MOST

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