NEW ORLEANS – An African-American man alleges he was subjected to a hostile work environment while employed by Whole Foods.
Marques Neal filed a complaint on May 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Whole Foods Market Inc. and Whole Foods Co. Inc. citing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Labor Standards Act.
According to the complaint, Neal began his employment with the defendants in March 2014 in Houston and later transferred to Metairie in 2015. He alleges that he experienced ongoing race discrimination, a hostile work environment and retaliation. The suit states he was terminated in June.
The plaintiff holds Whole Foods Market Inc. and Whole Foods Co. Inc. responsible because the defendants allegedly subjected plaintiff to racial and religious discrimination, abuse, retaliation and termination.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensatory damages, plus legal interest, attorney's fees, costs and all other equitable relief. He is represented by Melanie C. Lockett of Lowe, Stein, Hoffman, Allweiss & Hauver LLP in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana case number 2:17-cv-05313