LOS ANGELES -- A man is suing his former employer for allegedly suffering racism while on the job,.
Michael Velasquez filed a complaint on May 13 in Orange County Superior Court against Kelly Services USA, LLC, Phillips-Medisize Costa Mesa, LLC and Does 1-10 for discrimination, harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination. The defendants removed the case to federal court on July 7.
According to the complaint, Velasquez was hired by Kelly Services USA, LLC and immediately assigned to work as a Medical Assembler for Phillips-Medisize Costa Mesa LLC. Two weeks into his employment, Velasquez was subjected to severe racial discrimination and harassment by his co-workers who would say things including “[T]hat damn Black guy" and “Señor Chocolate” and was subjected to other slurs in Spanish.
Velasquez alleges he reported many incidents to to management and suffered from retaliation for his reports. He alleges he also reported no longer feeling safe at work and was terminated as part of the retaliation, the suit says.
Velasquez seeks compensatory general damages, lost past and future wages and benefits, restitution, injunctive relief, punitive damages, attorney's fees and cost of suit. Velasquez is represented by Devon M. Lyon of Lyon Legal P.C.