Two Homewood Dispatchers Claim Discrimination in Lawsuit
Two African-American police dispatchers are suing the city of Homewood alleging workplace discrimination.
Charity Moore and LaShawn Smith’s recently filed federal lawsuit claims supervisors handled their family medical leave and work requirements differently than those of their white co-workers.
Moore says she was denied a private place to pump breast milk while another white woman was given a private space to pump. The amended lawsuit also says she was subjected to taunting and insults by other employees including white male officers who made comments such as “Are you hooked up like a cow?” or “would love to purchase some of that milk.”
The lawsuit claims Homewood has historically denied promotions to African-American police officers and the department has failed to train employees on dealing with race and diversity.
Michael Kendrick, the Homewood city attorney, says the allegations are “not well founded” and he would not comment on pending litigation.
The attorney representing the dispatchers, Richard Newton, says Homewood violated the women’s rights and his clients want a jury trial to seek compensatory damages.
Lawsuit Against the City of Homewood_Breastmilk Pumping Allegations by Miranda Fulmore on Scribd
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