Lawsuit: Kraft Heinz Allowed Racist Harassment

Aug. 20, 2021
Three Black former employees of a Kraft Heinz facility are alleging that the company did nothing to stop persistent racist harassment.

Three Black former employees of a Kraft Heinz facility in Tulare, Calif., are suing the company, alleging that it did nothing to stop persistent racist harassment.

In a lawsuit filed Aug. 19, the employees claim that between 2012 and 2018, co-workers attached notes to their lockers with racial slurs and, in one instance, a swastika, and regularly called them the n-word. They say that when they were complained, they were told “to keep their heads down or else they could join the unemployment line,” according to the complaint.

They also allege that when they complained, they were subjected to retaliation on the job, including being assigned to less desirable shifts and outdated equipment. One plaintiff claimed to have been told by a manager that Kraft Heinz corporate told plant managers not to investigate racism at the plant.

Kraft Heinz told Business Insider that when the company learned about the allegations, it launched “an extensive investigation.” The results were not revealed, but the company says there have been no reports of racial harassment at the plant since 2018.

"Kraft Heinz prides itself on creating diverse and inclusive workplaces, and we have a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination or harassment of any kind," a Kraft Heinz spokesperson said.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are asking for $30 million plus the pay they could have earned if they had not been forced to quit.

Sponsored Recommendations

Kaeser is the world’s leading air systems specialist and offers a full range of compressed air solutions for almost any application. From industrial compress...
Take a moment to see the scope of Kaeser's commitment to innovative system designs that guarantee ultra-reliable compressed air, easy maintenance, and greater efficiency.
Ventilation has a huge impact on the ambient temperature in the compressor room and is often the missing link to temperature regulation issues. Here are four factors to consider...
Learn how to get a smart, reliable, energy-efficient compressed air system delivered in a turnkey, weatherproof and temperature-controlled enclosure that needs little or no onsite...