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Salesman at Mike Smith Autoplex Alleges Racial Discrimination

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A former African-American employee of Mike Smith Autoplex Inc. claims that he was forced to resign from his postiion as a salesman because of his race. The Southeast Texas Record reports that the former salesman is sueing the company; alleging violations of the Civil Rights Act.

Greg E. Mitchell of Beaumont now has Houston employment lawyer Katrina S. Patrick representing him as a plaintiff. The man was hired as a salesman at Mike Smith Autoplex in May 2005 and was promoted to assistant sales manager in 2006. The plaintiff claims that when he applied for a promotion to the sales manager position in 2007, he was denied the position due to his race.

Instead, Mr. Mitchell claims that the company promoted a less experienced and less skilled Caucasian worker. He was later demoted from assistant sales manager to a sales position, because he was told that his old position was being eliminated. Yet the day after his demotion, Mr. Mitchell stated that the company hired a Caucasian employee to perform his former duties.

With this case, a jury trial has been requested. With this suit, Mr. Mitchell is seeking damages for back pay, reinstatement, front pay, statutory relief, compensatory damages for pain and mental suffering, attorney's fees, court costs and interest.

FindLaw states that under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, an employer with fifteen or more employees cannot discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, or religion. Failing to promote based on one of these factors is considered one form of discrimination. If you feel that you've experienced discrimination from your current or former employer, it would be a good idea to contact a Houston employment lawyer to discuss what legal rights you have.

Related Resources:

  • Discrimination and Harassment: Resources (FindLaw)
  • Job Discrimination Claims On The Rise (FindLaw's Free Enterprise blog)
  • Contact a Houston Employment Lawyer (FindLaw)

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