White's Bakery In Brockton 2019 Discrimination Case Closed

BROCKTON, MA — White's Bakery in Brockton will have to pay $95,000 in penalties and restitution, require anti-discrimination training for employees, and revise its policies in a settlement reached with the state Monday.

The settlement reached in court is resolving a lawsuit brought on by Attorney General Maura Healey's Office, was filed in Plymouth Superior Court, saying White's Bakery in Brockton violated the state's anti-discrimination law by creating a hostile work environment - by allowing another employee to be mocked and harassed because of his race and disability.

White's Bakery denies these allegations.

"For the past two years, White's Bakery has vehemently fought false allegations that the bakery's owners in any way tolerated workplace discrimination against a former employee. White's Bakery is a responsible, progressive employer that has always opposed discrimination of any kind. We always embrace people for who they are. We do everything possible to operate on the basis of respect, understanding, and dignity. White's Bakery denies any wrongdoing or liability in connection with claims brought by the AG's office. In an effort to move forward without the continued burden, stress, distraction and substantial financial obligations that accompany litigation, White's Bakery reached a settlement with the AG's office."

The Attorney General's Office claims the harassment caused the employee severe emotional harm and forced him to quit his job.

According to the lawsuit, the victim was employed by the bakery in 2018 and was routinely subjected to hateful language by his supervisor, some of which included various versions of the N-word, Attorney General Maura Healey's Office said.

"No employee should feel unsafe at work or be subjected to offensive and hateful language by an employer," Healey said. "We have sued this company and its managers to put an end to this type of discriminatory treatment and will hold accountable those who create hostile work environments."

"For the past two years, White’s Bakery has vehemently fought false allegations that the bakery's owners in any way tolerated workplace discrimination against a former employee. White's Bakery is a responsible, progressive employer that has always opposed discrimination of any kind. We always embrace people for who they are. We do everything possible to operate on the basis of respect, understanding, and dignity. White's Bakery denies any wrongdoing or liability in connection with claims brought by the AG’s office. In an effort to move forward without the continued burden, stress, distraction and substantial financial obligations that accompany litigation, White'sBakery reached a settlement with the AG's office."

"Workers should be able to go to work, do their job and go home without being harassed, mocked, and called racial slurs," said Phyllis Ellis, President of the Brockton Area Branch NAACP. "People discriminate against people who do not look like them because they think they can. I hope this lawsuit will help bring real change at White's Bakery."