White male sues Tulane University claiming racial discrimination

A field specialist for Tulane University has filed a lawsuit that claims he lost his job due to racial discrimination.

Claiming violations of his civil rights, Bruce Mears, who is caucasian, filed suit against Tulane University on July 27 in federal court in New Orleans.

Mears was hired by the University in September 2006 as a salaried employed until January 2008, when he became an hourly employee.

He states his supervisor, an African American female, only allowed him to bill 37.5 hours per week, even if he worked overtime. The supervisor is accused of forging Mears' signature on a time sheet. Mears states that he worked an extra project at the request of his supervisor in June and July 2009 but he was later told that due to budget restraints, he would not be paid overtime wages but be allowed to use the time as comp time. After he filed a complaint with the EEOC in 2010, he received his overtime pay.

Mears states he was forced to resign to avoid further discrimination, retaliation and the hostile work environment.

The defendant is accused of racial employment discrimination, discharge on the basis of race, conspiring to discharge on the basis of race, disparate application of work assignment and rules, retaliation for complaining about disparate treatment and discrimination and the disparate application of policies and procedures on the basis of race.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of earnings, loss of benefits, interest, attorney's fees and court costs.

Mears is represented by Wanda Anderson Davis of Leefe, Gibbs, Sullivan, Dupre and Aldous in Metairie. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Martin L. C. Feldman is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-01821