ST. LOUIS -- A former employee of TopGolf USA claims to have suffered from racial and gender discrimination while employed there.
Niarrie N. Doddson filed a complaint on April 21 in the Circuit Court of Saint Louis County against TopGolf USA Chesterfield, LLC, which removed the case to federal court on May 28.
According to the complaint, Doddson, an African American female, began working for TopGolf USA in June or July of 2018. Doddson was then promoted to an Events position in September 2018 and then Team Lead in February 2019.
Doddson allegedly spoke to Human Resources in April 2019 about experiencing "racial issues." Doddson alleges that she was called "Whoopi" by a supervisor and she deemed the remark offensive.
Doddson alleged that she also mentioned it was her belief that Black associates were disciplined more often and with stiffer punishments and were more likely to be sent to the bays with Black guests.
Doddson alleged that after going to HR, the supervisor made comments to other co-workers stating “don’t want to make too many jokes and have someone go to HR about it” in direct retaliation. Doddson alleged that she then complained about the comment to the Director of Operations and nothing was done.
Doddson alleges that the workplace was filled with racial tension, including "a white employee telling Black employees it was better for him to handle the 'white crowd' and a white male telling a Black female to settle her ghetto butt down," according to the complaint.
Doddson alleged that other associates used profanity in the workplace and she eventually was demoted from Team Lead for "using profanity." Doddson alleged that on other occasions, a manager made sexual comments about her breasts. Doddson alleged that she filed another complaint with HR. After reopening in June 22, 2020, after being shut down because of the pandemic, TopGolf USA offered additional training for COVID-19 procedures that conflicted with Doddson's work schedule.
She requested weekend training or individual training and was refused, but the exception was made for a white male employee, she claims. Doddson alleges she was then terminated for not having the training.
Doddson seeks past, present, and future lost wages and benefits; compensatory damages, punitive and exemplary damages; interest; costs; and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Doddson is represented by Ryan M. Furniss of The Furniss Law Firm, LLC.