A woman has filed a racial discrimination suit against her former employer.
Kendra Cole filed her lawsuit in federal court against World Wide Technology Holding Co. LLC. Cole, who is Black, alleges she was subjected to race-based discrimination and harassment, and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
According to the complaint, Cole worked as a specialist for the company from April 2018 until her termination in May 2023. She says she met or exceeded performance expectations throughout her employment but was subjected to different terms and conditions than those not within her protected class.
The complaint details incidents beginning in November 2022 where Cole experienced discriminatory treatment from four white female co-workers. One of these women allegedly requested to be relocated away from Cole due to perceived "attitude." Despite refuting these claims to upper management, Cole's concerns were dismissed.
In May 2023, Cole overheard a conversation in which one of the women expressed a desire to physically assault her. After reporting this incident to management who didn't address the threat, Cole says she was asked to sign a corrective action form.
On May 15, 2023, she was terminated from her position while similarly situated employees outside of her protected class retained their jobs despite threatening physical violence.
Cole asserts that she was unlawfully terminated because of her race and for opposing unlawful discrimination.