A former employee has taken legal action against her previous employer, alleging a series of discriminatory and harassing behaviors. On December 30, 2024, Erika Kim filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Oetee, LLC. The lawsuit accuses the company of racial discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation in violation of several federal laws.
Erika Kim's lawsuit outlines a troubling pattern of behavior during her tenure at Oetee, LLC. Hired as an interior designer in August 2022, Kim claims she was subjected to a hostile work environment based on her race and sex from November 2022 until her termination on August 20, 2024. According to the complaint, Robert Tivadar, the company's owner, made offensive racial jokes and stereotyped Kim due to her mixed Asian and Hispanic heritage. He allegedly referred to her family as "avocado farmers" and mocked their background. Despite expressing discomfort with these comments by stating they were not funny or appropriate, Kim alleges that Tivadar continued his behavior.
The complaint further details instances where Tivadar reportedly made inappropriate comments about women and engaged in racially insensitive conversations with other employees. For example, he allegedly suggested that white laborers were slow workers compared to others and asked Kim to act flirtatiously on a call to secure business advantages. Moreover, Kim claims that Tivadar failed to pay her overtime wages properly and dismissed her concerns about his use of racial slurs.
Kim asserts that she was retaliated against for opposing these discriminatory practices by being unjustly terminated from her position. She argues that despite meeting or exceeding performance expectations throughout her employment, she was targeted for termination because of her race and sex and for standing up against unlawful discrimination.
In response to these allegations, Kim is seeking various forms of relief from the court. These include back pay with interest, compensatory and punitive damages for emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the alleged discrimination and harassment. Additionally, she requests front pay for future lost earnings potential due to the impact on her career.
Representing Erika Kim is attorney Travis P. Lampert from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while no information is provided regarding Oetee LLC's legal representation at this stage. The case has been assigned Case ID: 1:24-cv-13358 but does not yet list any presiding judges.