A former employee has filed a lawsuit against his previous employer, alleging racial discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Cortland Houston lodged the complaint against Ryder Integrated Logistics, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on September 9, 2024.
Houston's lawsuit claims that during his employment as a Picker Forklift Operator from October 25, 2023, to June 18, 2024, he faced discriminatory treatment and a hostile work environment due to his race. According to the complaint, Houston is African American and alleges that he was subjected to different terms and conditions of employment compared to his Hispanic colleagues. He claims these actions violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1981.
The plaintiff recounts several incidents supporting his allegations. On December 23, 2023, Houston observed his supervisor Dave (last name unknown) using a phone during work hours—a violation of safety regulations. After reporting this incident on December 28, Houston alleges that his overtime hours were drastically reduced from sixty to thirty-two hours per week starting the next day. In March 2024, after discussing these issues with another manager named Guadalupe (last name unknown), Houston felt compelled to report ongoing discrimination and harassment directly to Corporate Human Resources (HR). Following this report, he was placed on a paid suspension for sixty days.
Upon returning in May 2024, Houston received a final warning for an unspecified policy violation from another manager named Larry (last name unknown). Shortly thereafter, he was sent home and later received another final warning for attendance issues despite management instructing him to leave. This led to an unpaid suspension until further notice. Finally, on June 18, Houston was terminated under what he claims were pretextual reasons related to phone usage at work.
Houston argues that these disciplinary actions were retaliatory measures taken by Ryder Integrated Logistics in response to his complaints about discriminatory practices and unsafe working conditions. He points out that all supervisors involved were Hispanic and that Hispanic employees received preferential treatment regarding promotions and work hours despite having less experience than him.
The plaintiff seeks various forms of relief from the court including back pay with interest, front pay, compensatory and punitive damages, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, pre-judgment interest if applicable, and any other relief deemed just by the court.
Representing Cortland Houston is attorney Travis P. Lampert from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while Ryder Integrated Logistics will be defended by Ashlee M Ligarde from Constangy Brooks Smith & Prophete LLP. The case has been assigned Case ID: 1:24-cv-08181.