Employment Retaliation - A black college professor alleged race discrimination and then retaliation when he complained
Jan 13, 2006OUTCOME: Verdict: $300,000 for plaintiff
Jackson v. Metropolitan State College, 1:03-165 Colorado - Denver Judge Edward Nottingham January 13, 2006 Plaintiff: David Lane and Marcel Krzystek, Killmer Lane & Newman, Denver, CO Defense: A ... llison F. Kyles and Elizabeth H. McCann, Assistant Attorneys General, Denver, CO Verdict: $300,000 for plaintiff Summary: Plaintiff, who is black, began working in 1981 for Metropolitan State College as a criminal justice professor. In 2001 and with tenure, he filed a grievance that alleged because of his race, he was under-evaluated by superiors and thus missed out on increasing his pay. [Plaintiff pointed to white comparators that were paid more.] Following the complaint, plaintiff alleged a pattern of retaliation began – it included removing him as Professor of Constitutional law and providing an exhausting teaching schedule. In this suit, he alleged intentional race discrimination, hostile environment based on race and then retaliation. Employer denied everything, explaining plaintiff was fairly evaluated and fairly paid. It also distinguished the purported comparators cited by plaintiff. Finally to retaliation, it was employer’s position that not receiving a preferred teaching schedule does not equal an adverse job action. The verdict was mixed, employer prevailing on both discrimination counts – however the jury further found for plaintiff on retaliation. He was awarded $300,000
