In a compelling legal battle that underscores issues of workplace discrimination and retaliation, a seasoned flight attendant has taken her grievances to court. Joyce Knight, an employee of United Airlines since 1995, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on November 18, 2024. The complaint is directed against her employer, United Airlines, alleging violations under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the anti-retaliation provisions of the Illinois Worker’s Compensation Act.
Joyce Knight's story is one of perseverance marred by alleged injustice. As a Black woman aged 55, she claims to have faced both racial and age discrimination at her workplace. Her tenure with United Airlines began in 1995 as a flight attendant and saw her rise to the position of International Purser in March 2010—a role that not only brought additional responsibilities but also higher pay. However, after suffering a spinal injury from a fall at work in May 2022 and subsequently taking workers' compensation leave until January 2023, Knight alleges that her return was met with hostility and retaliation. She asserts that United delayed her return by three months due to scheduling issues beyond her control and eventually stripped her of her Purser duties in July 2023.
The lawsuit details further discriminatory acts against Knight based on race and age. It cites two complaints lodged against her—one from a White male colleague who referred to her as having a bad "tone" despite previously interacting cordially with him during flights; another was second-hand from an unknown passenger allegedly criticizing her tone. Knight argues these complaints were racially charged, pointing out how "tone policing" is often used against Black women based on harmful stereotypes.
Knight's plight is compounded by what she describes as systemic age discrimination within United Airlines. She claims that older flight attendants are routinely undermined by their younger counterparts through negative reports during monthly check-ins aimed at tarnishing their reputations. Despite raising these concerns with supervisors and seeking union support, Knight says she received no assistance.
In response to these grievances, Joyce Knight seeks several forms of relief from the court: reinstatement to her former position as Purser, compensation for lost wages and benefits along with damages for emotional distress caused by alleged unlawful conduct by United Airlines. Additionally, she requests punitive damages intended to deter similar future conduct by employers.
Representing Joyce Knight is attorney Jamie S. Franklin from The Civil Litigation Clinic at Chicago-Kent College of Law. The case has been filed under Case ID: 1:24-cv-11871.