Denied Advancement in a Hostile Work Environment

A pharmaceutical sales representative overcame racial discrimination and a hostile work environment, securing a favorable settlement.

Note: This case was handled by Thurgood, Inc. and is anonymized to maintain confidentiality. Each case is unique; this example does not guarantee or predict similar results.

The Situation: Workplace Harassment and Racial Discrimination

Our client, a pharmaceutical sales representative, was transferred to a new office in a different city with a different racial makeup than his original location. Soon after, he experienced harassment — including inappropriate comments and racially charged “gifts.”

These incidents were followed by negative performance reviews, leading him to believe that racial discrimination and bias from colleagues were fueling a hostile work environment and blocking opportunities for advancement.

The Challenge: Negotiating and Exit While Still Employed

Although our client did not believe his employment was immediately at risk, the harassment and poor reviews took a heavy toll on his mental health. He felt trapped in a cycle where advancement was impossible and his reputation was being undermined.

At the same time, he was hesitant to raise a formal complaint while still employed, as he relied on his position to support himself and his family. This created a delicate balance: how to address workplace discrimination without jeopardizing his livelihood.

Our Approach: Protecting Rights While Preserving Options

In cases of hostile work environments and workplace discrimination, it’s critical to avoid giving the impression that the employee wants to leave, since employers may use that as justification for termination.

We guided our client in framing his position carefully:

1. We emphasized that he valued his role and wanted to succeed.

2. We also made it clear that if the company no longer supported his presence, he was open to negotiating a fair transition.

This approach allowed us to keep the discussion constructive and professional. It also shifted responsibility back to the employer: either commit to supporting his career, or agree to a respectful resolution.

The Resolution: Settlement in a Workplace Discrimination Case

We successfully negotiated a private settlement without filing charges. The agreement included:

• 7.5 months of salary

• Recovery of stock options and performance-based compensation that had been previously denied

The negotiation was completed in just 10 weeks, providing a positive outcome without prolonged litigation.

Standing Up Against Racial Discrimination and Hostile Work Environments

At Thurgood, Inc., we represent employees facing racial discrimination, workplace harassment, and hostile work environments. If you believe bias or harassment is holding back your career, contact us to learn how we can help protect your rights.