BUFFALO, N.Y. — Six ex-employees have filed a class action complaint against chemical company DuPont claiming they were treated unfairly and worked in a hostile work environment.
The men, all of whom are Black claim in the complaint, "DuPont subjects their black employees to disparate treatment in discipline, promotion, and termination". They are represented by Derek Smith Law Group, Managing Attorney Alex Cabeceiras said, "From nooses on toolboxes to the n-word repeatedly graffitied on the wall to other symbols of hate being hung around DuPont."
The complaint also alleges that Black employees were not treated the same as white employees when it came to employment conditions, promotion opportunities, and discipline.
"Hand selecting, hand picking white laborers for managerial positions therefore excluding black employees from ever reaching that managerial level that they deserve," Cabeceiras said.
One ex-employee named on the complaint is John Stover. Stover worked for DuPont for 27 years before his termination in 2023. He says he was required to take a managerial test four separate times, failing each one despite it being a "personality test," Stover said. In the complaint, he said it specifically asked for the takers' race. Stover believes he was targeted for speaking out about the treatment he and other Black employees were receiving. Stover said, "Because of me and Ryan stepping up and talking about these issues, him being on the union board, me being a rep for 15 years we were targeted, we were targeted for our voices, and at some point, we were terminated,".
Ryan Parish worked for DuPont for 25 years and is also a part of the complaint. The complaint alleges that he was hit in the head with a piece of cardboard by a supervisor, unlike his white co-workers. The complaint says he was also told he could not apply for a supervisory position due to his lack of work experience in one particular area of the company. It alleges that a white employee who had the same work experience as Parish was promoted to that supervisor position. Parish said, "We have addressed this with HR, or our management, and tried to rectify these issues. It's actually unfortunate that we have to use the law to get fairness."
A spokesperson for DuPont issued this statement in response to 2 On Your Side's request for comment:
"We have not been served in this matter and as such cannot comment on the allegations. Respect for people is a core value at DuPont. We cultivate diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our company and foster a workplace environment where all colleagues are valued and can thrive."