Nicole A. Allen has filed a lawsuit against the United States Postal Service, alleging sex and retaliation discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The complaint was lodged on November 9, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, with Louis DeJoy named as the defendant in his capacity as Postmaster General.
Allen, a full-time mail processing clerk at the USPS facility in Palatine, Illinois, claims she faced discriminatory treatment based on her gender and retaliatory actions following her complaints about workplace harassment. The lawsuit details numerous incidents involving her supervisors that Allen argues constitute disparate treatment compared to her male colleagues. For instance, she alleges that on April 1 and 2, 2023, Supervisor Neisha Whitfield refused to allow her to clock in early despite prior approval from upper management. This privilege was allegedly extended to other employees but denied to Allen.
The complaint further describes an incident on April 3, 2023, where Supervisor Robert Williams directed Allen to work on a machine alongside him despite a previous altercation that should have prevented such interaction. Additional grievances include being forced into disciplinary meetings without consent and having break times manipulated unfairly. Allen also recounts instances where she was singled out for unfavorable assignments or denied schedule changes without justification.
Allen asserts that these actions not only violated Title VII but were carried out with malice and reckless disregard for her rights. She notes that this pattern of behavior persisted even after filing a formal discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in June 2017. The EEOC issued a notice granting her the right to sue on August 20, 2020.
In seeking justice through this legal action, Allen requests several forms of relief from the court. She seeks a declaration that USPS's conduct violated her rights under federal law and calls for injunctive relief to prevent further harm and ensure fair treatment moving forward. Additionally, she demands compensatory damages for lost earnings and emotional distress caused by the alleged discrimination and retaliation. Her attorney fees are also sought as part of the suit's costs.
Representing Nicole A. Allen is attorney Michael T. Smith from Lisle, Illinois. The case is presided over by judges from the Northern District of Illinois under Case ID: 1:24-cv-11567.