Former Lee County Commission Human Resources Director files discrimination lawsuit against city
A Former Lee County Commission Human Resources Director has filed a federal lawsuit against the Lee County Commission on the basis of illegal discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, according to court documents and a press release sent by HKM employment attorneys.
“Ms. Norris is an African American who has worked in the human resources field for approximately twenty (20) years and has served in numerous capacities in the human resources field, including president of the Alabama Association of Public Personnel Administration,” the press release said. Ms. Norris is also the current President Pro Temp of the Opelika City Council.
Ms. Norris was employed by the Commission from June 2016 until September 2022. In January 2022, Ms. Norris notified the County Administrator that she believed she was being subjected to race discrimination. Approximately two (2) months later, Ms. Norris was issued a final written warning for purported policy violations. Prior to her speaking with the County Administrator, Ms. Norris had received “exceeds expectations” on her performance evaluations.
“In April 2022, Ms. Norris informed the Commission of additional instances of race discrimination occurring in Commission offices, including an alleged incident involving a noose and an African American employee. Some of the additional instances were substantiated by an independent review,” the release added. Approximately four (4) months later, Ms. Norris was informed she was being terminated for “multiple” policy violations.
However, Ms. Norris avers that she did not commit any of the violations cited, and that the Commission’s proffered reason for her termination is pretextual.
On April 11, 2023, Ms. Norris filed a federal lawsuit in the Middle District of Alabama. In her lawsuit, Ms. Norris states that she was terminated because of her race and in retaliation for reporting discrimination and harassment based on race, in violation of Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e.
Ms. Norris previously notified the Commission of her claims on September 27, 2022, by filing a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
To read all 8-pages of the court documents, read below.
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