Refinery worker claims racial discrimination after suspension for sleeping on the job

An oil refinery employee who was caught asleep on the job and placed on suspension has filed a lawsuit against his employer claiming racial discrimination.

Brad Arceneaux, an African-American male, filed a lawsuit against Valero St. Charles Refinery on Dec. 4 in federal court in New Orleans. He claims he had seen white employees asleep on the job and no action was taken against them.

Arceneaux states that after he filed an internal discrimination complaint against another employee in August 2007, a supervisor began to retaliate by transferring Arceneaux's shifts, conducting discriminatory testing and imposing work restrictions on him.

Further, Arceneaux argues that the supervisor discriminated against him by placing him on suspension for sleeping on the job. Arceneaux claims the supervisor had seen other employees asleep but had not placed them on suspension or taken any disciplinary action against them.

He is asking for an award of damages for lost wages, emotional distress, punitive damages, attorney fees and court costs.

Arceneaux is represented by Metairie attorney J. Courtney Wilson.

Case No. 2:10-cv-04470