A Certified Nursing Assistant says she was a victim of racial discrimination and retaliation at work.
Kedisha Tenn Hue-Thorpe, who is Jamaican, filed her lawsuit in federal court against Bickford Senior Living Group.
According to the complaint, Thorpe began working at Bickford's facility in Raytown in March 2015. She claims she was subjected to unlawful discrimination based on her race and national origin during her employment there. She also claims she faced retaliation after raising complaints about her treatment.
Thorpe says she was subjected to derogatory comments from residents as well as employees. One resident allegedly told Thorpe to "go back to where she came from" and made other disparaging remarks.
Furthermore, Thorpe claims management told her not to speak her native language within earshot of residents. Despite complaining about the treatment from other employees, Thorpe says no remedial action was taken by the management.
In summer 2021, one of Thorpe's sister, who also worked at Bickford and faced similar issues, complained about the discrimination she was experiencing. Following this complaint, all four sisters were suspended pending an investigation. They were later terminated in December 2021.
Thorpe is seeking compensatory and punitive damages as well as other relief.