
A truck driver says he was fired after complaining about an “Obama doll” hanging from a noose in his employer’s office.
The incident happened on February 9th, 2016, in Puyallup, Washington, but the lawsuit against the trucking company was filed the week of September 4th, 2017.
According to Oregon Live, Alexander Metoyer arrived at his job at 1-800-PACK-RAT on February 9th, 2016, and discovered an African American doll hanging from a makeshift noose on a bookcase in the office. Metoyer promptly took down the doll and placed it to his own desk.
The following day, Metoyer returned to the office to find the doll once again hanging from the bookshelf and removed it. Metoyer then emailed a photo of the hanged doll to the human resources office, who responded by saying they would investigate. The company, however, never followed through on the investigation.
A few days later, Metoyer’s supervisor approached him in the office, asking “whatever happened to my Obama?”
He also began referring to Metoyer, who is African American, as “hey boy!” or “aye boy!,” the lawsuit claims.
The supervisor also began criticizing Metoyer’s clothing, saying he dressed like a “gang banger” and a “drug dealer.” Metoyer says the office did not previously enforce a dress code.
Metoyer soon asked to be transferred to another office, because he “feared for his safety” but his request was denied.
1-800-PACK-RAT fired Metoyer for insubordination in September of 2016. They have denied any discrimination against him.
Metoyer recently filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming harassment, racial discrimination, and retaliation for being a whistle blower.
He is also suing for economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. The lawsuit seeks to instate a court order that requires the company to end its allegedly discriminatory practices.