Nekisha Shelton has filed a civil complaint against University Healthcare System, L.C. (LCMC) alleging violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 42 U.S.C. § 1981, citing racial discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation. The complaint was filed on May 22, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Shelton, an African American female and former employee of LCMC, claims that she experienced severe workplace hostility and racial discrimination during her tenure at the healthcare facility. She was hired as a Per Diem Nursing (PRN) employee on August 29, 2022, and later signed a new contract on September 16, 2022. However, her troubles began on December 4, 2022, when she informed her Charge Therapist Jille Wentzel about a personal family matter affecting her ability to work a full shift. According to Shelton's complaint, Wentzel's response was hostile and included threats that any early departure would be held against her.
The situation escalated on December 30, 2022. Shelton alleges she was assigned an excessive workload of handling 15.5 procedures across two floors at the beginning of her shift—a task typically equating to nearly a full twelve-hour shift’s workload—without any assistance. Despite discovering several PRNs and contract workers relaxing in the back room with Wentzel available to help, no aid was offered to Shelton. Instead, she received additional assignments making her responsible for managing patients across three different floors with a total of 27.5 procedures during her twelve-hour shift.
Shelton contends that this unreasonable workload assignment was racially motivated as Caucasian employees were not subjected to similar treatment. She cited instances where Caucasian colleagues like Lavonne Alonzo had their workloads adjusted or received assistance upon lodging complaints about unreasonable tasks.
On December 30th itself, after expressing concerns about her workload to House Supervisor Addison and refusing orders from Wentzel to clock out and go home without valid reasons or authority backing such orders, security personnel escorted Shelton off the premises under Director Mitch Brock’s directive.
Following these events, Shelton lodged formal complaints of racial discrimination with Vice President of Operations Mike McKendall on January 3rd and attended a meeting with Human Resources head Nicole Yeatmean along with other managers on January 4th where she was terminated for alleged insubordination without being given an opportunity to present her side or receive fair consideration regarding her assignments.
Shelton seeks various forms of relief including back pay; front pay; compensatory damages for emotional distress; punitive damages; coverage for employment taxes; attorney fees; expert witness fees; costs incurred in connection with this action; pre-judgment interest; post-judgment interest as provided by law; and other equitable relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Ms. Shelton is Christopher A. Minias from The Minias Law Firm while Judge GGG-JVM presides over Case ID: Case No:2:24-cv-01348-GGG-JVM.