Worth a read...

[jeff]

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/nascar/news/story?id=3435581&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

Here are the guts of why she's suing...

The lawsuit details a series of those alleged incidents:

• Grant was forced to work outside more often than the white male officials because her supervisors believed she couldn't sunburn because she was black.

• While riding in the backseat of her car pool at Talladega Superspeedway, co-workers told her to duck as they passed race fans. "I don't want to start a riot when these fans see a black woman in my car," she claims one official said.

• When packing up a dark garage at Texas Motor Speedway an official told Grant: "Keep smiling and pop your eyes out 'cause we can't see you."

• When she ignored advances from co-workers, Grant was accused of being gay. She also claimed co-workers questioned the sexual orientation of two other female officials.


Aloha

[RGFan]

So much for the "Drive for Diversity"......This is one black eye that Nascrap did not need.

[Ziggy]

NASCAR is really careful about this kind of stuff.I dont believe it for a second and the jury needs to take a stand and put this COW away.

[b-makk]

NASCAR is really careful about this kind of stuff.I dont believe it for a second and the jury needs to take a stand and put this COW away.

??? I think your post is worth deleting

[Racer21(Roberto)]

yeah, well, i think that 250 million is a bit too much though.

[Chris Tobin]

??? I think your post is worth deleting

I AGREE, what is up with that???


yeah, well, i think that 250 million is a bit too much though.

I think she is asking for too much $ too, but they will settle for much less than that or will be awarded less than that when she wins her case. Which she will probably win if it goes all the way to trial...

[b-makk]

Can't hurt to ask for too much $$$. I'd go for a billion if I was suing Nascar.

[JRod]

Some of her claims sound like pure lawyer bull$#(! to put the case over the top- HOWEVER, some of her claims seem pretty believable and I wouldn't be surprised if she walks away with a pretty penny, or two..... Of course, the question is, how much will it take Na$car coughing up for the gag agreement for her to disappear with her money and never say another word?

[RGFan]

If it is true, that really sucks......You can take Nascar out of the South, but you can not take the South out Nascar.....I am sure there is some lawyer drama built into the case, but usually, where there is smoke, there is fire......Why would they need the "Drive for Diversity" in the first place if there was not a problem....SOmebody trying to make a buck is one thing......But any lawyer worth his/her salt would not take a case of this magnitude, against a powerhouse such as Nascar, with the media related coverage without legitimate proof.

With that being said, I agree, once discovery is completed, if she has a leg to stand on, Nascar will do it's best to shut them up, financially or otherwise....I hope she has security.

[michael_loomis]

I'm sorry, but it sounds like it was all in good fun, until someone got but hurt about something and said, ok, i'll get you.

If you were THAT appalled by the level of racist and sexual jokes, why would you stick around THAT long?

[RGFan]

I am sure some of it was in good fun.......I do not know about you, but in this day and age, would you crack jokes with anybody that is a different race then you, especially jokes about their race? I like to think I am a fun, laid back guy and while alot of what was said to her was pretty funny if it was not meant in a mean spirit, I would never say that to anybody at work, no matter how good of a friend I thought they were. As to why she stayed, maybe she thought management would do something about it, maybe she was hoping that things would change and loved her job otherwise. Maybe she was a very dedicated/loyal person, maybe it paid well and allowed her to be at home more with her kids......Who knows, but in this day and age, you just can not pull that crap anymore, not without some type of repercussion.

[Chris Tobin]

I would venture to say that most if not all of us have at some point or another stayed at a job and took crap that we shouldn't have just because we needed the job and did not want to take a legal route and sue...

Maybe it was just me but I know I have done this in the past.:confused::mad:

In a case like this where the company is huge and the pattern is there, big numbers start to float once the lawyers get involved. In NASCAR and elsewhere there is still plenty of prejudice and bigotry, sad to say... If you haven't been on the receiving end of this type of treatment, please shut up!

my 2 cents

[Kartman]

Am I the only not surprised at all by this? Seriously, its NASCAR.

[michael_loomis]

well.. I guess I've just been fortunate enough not to work with corporate america and be put in that situation. Everywhere I've worked has been kinda like RDC.. plenty of friendly opposing trash talk, jokes, etc., yes some racial, but they poke racially back as well, they dont stop just cause I'm white.

Sorry Tobin if you took offense to my post sir! **zipping my lips now**

[RGFan]

well.. I guess I've just been fortunate enough not to work with corporate america and be put in that situation. Everywhere I've worked has been kinda like RDC.. plenty of friendly opposing trash talk, jokes, etc., yes some racial, but they poke racially back as well, they dont stop just cause I'm white.

Sorry Tobin if you took offense to my post sir! **zipping my lips now**


I do not think Loomis meant anything mean spirited. Look, we all joke and kid around, but in this day and age, You never know who will be offended and if the person doing the taunting/joking is serious or just having fun. As far as the work part of it, I think we have all been in shiotty situations for one reason or another. And it is fair to say that it is never just that easy to leave when something is wrong.

[Samco Fab]

I was more suprised when I heard that people were racist at the Spainish F1 race when Lewis Hamilton raced. Nascar does have a history of a bit of racism, but now is trying to show diversity. There is still a lot of good ol boys, no big suprise.

I bet a lot of the people that made these comments did not mean them in a truly racial context, more of a joke in really bad taste. There are always two sides to the story, and sometimes some guys make jokes at others to make them part of the group, not try to outcast them. Some of my best friends give me the most crap.

[b-makk]

I constantly have my foot in my mouth but I try my best to avoid saying anything racial. I don't want anybody else's feet in my mouth... literally

[Chris Tobin]

well.. I guess I've just been fortunate enough not to work with corporate america and be put in that situation. Everywhere I've worked has been kinda like RDC.. plenty of friendly opposing trash talk, jokes, etc., yes some racial, but they poke racially back as well, they dont stop just cause I'm white.

Sorry Tobin if you took offense to my post sir! **zipping my lips now**


I do not think Loomis meant anything mean spirited. Look, we all joke and kid around, but in this day and age, You never know who will be offended and if the person doing the taunting/joking is serious or just having fun. As far as the work part of it, I think we have all been in shiotty situations for one reason or another. And it is fair to say that it is never just that easy to leave when something is wrong.


I was more suprised when I heard that people were racist at the Spainish F1 race when Lewis Hamilton raced. Nascar does have a history of a bit of racism, but now is trying to show diversity. There is still a lot of good ol boys, no big suprise.

I bet a lot of the people that made these comments did not mean them in a truly racial context, more of a joke in really bad taste. There are always two sides to the story, and sometimes some guys make jokes at others to make them part of the group, not try to outcast them. Some of my best friends give me the most crap.

Mike, I wasn't directing my post directly at you. Just addressing the topic in general and adding a little more perspective. As usual its all good between us!:D

Some of the worst racisim I have ever experienced was not white on black, it was Japanese on everyone else...

I know we can all joke around, especially among friends!:D But at work when she complained the supervisors should have done something and making her work in the sun more because she won't burn is just dumb. The individuals are the ones responsible for their own actions BUT NASCAR (or any other employer) is responsible for the employees under their management. I have sat through many BORING management training/herrassment seminars and if the employee complains the manager MUST look into it and take action, saying they are ex-military and just deal with it is not acceptable and opens the company (NASCAR in this case) to liability. One of the reasons the number is probably so high is that she is rightly suing the individuals as well as NASCAR not just going after the deep pockets at NASCAR which also brings more merritt to her case.

My guess is that NASCAR will pay to make this go away as soon as they possibly can, as it will really hurt them for this to go to trial no matter what the judgement is!

[RGFan]

Good point Tobin.....In this day of corporate correctness, most of us have been through the annual Sexual Harrasment Training, Corporate Behavior Training, etc... etc... etc. There is really no excuse for things like this that go on in this day and age, except for that it was allowed by the management. If that is the case, they are responsible.

[DSRacing]

As a supervisor, I’ve had to attend more than my fair share of sexual harassment classes, and for good reason. The federal laws pertaining to sexual harassment are painfully clear and the average settlement for a SH suit are a couple of million dollars.
Either this woman is very smart, or she went out when this first started and found a good attorney. After reading the article, just like jrod7 stated earlier, it covers most of the legal points needed for a her to get a successful settlement. For example,

“After her termination, Grant said she went over her notes and recognized "a pattern of retaliation and discrimination."

99.9% of people don’t write notes on what occurred to them at work. This is the reason she hung out there for as long as she did. She was making her case, gathering evidence.

In the lawsuit, Grant said she complained numerous times to her supervisors about how she was treated, to no avail.

On one occasion, Grant said Nationwide Series director Joe Balash, her immediate supervisor, was dismissive of her complaints, explaining her co-workers were "former military guys" with a rough sense of humor.

She reported it to her supervisor and was blown off. This in itself will win her the case. Federal law says a supervisor is to take immediate action to stop any harassment. Anywhere else, Joe Balash would be looking for another job.

I don’t know if this lady is telling the truth or not, but she has set herself up for a big payday. I’m not surprised it’s NASCAR either, this happens everwhere, everyday.
250 million is ridiculous but they made a reference in the article about a similar settlement for 11 mil, so I’m sure she’s looking for something similar.

Anytime your at work you are subject to a harassment claim, racial, sexual, religious. Even third parties can claim harassment.
Lets say your at work you tell a co-worker about the newest joke you read off RDC’s Share your jokes!!!! Mature Subject Matter thread earlier in the morning. Anyone able to hear your conversation can claim harassment. They don’t even have to be involved in the conversation or have the conversation directed towards them. Unfortunately, the best thing people can do in today’s workplace is keep their mouth shut.

[Kartman]

I was more suprised when I heard that people were racist at the Spainish F1 race when Lewis Hamilton raced.

Ive found Europeans to be far more racist than Americans and without the PC crap there they pretty much say what they want.

[RGFan]

Yes, quite a different world over there as far as being p.c. or the lack there of

[michael_loomis]

Mike, I wasn't directing my post directly at you. Just addressing the topic in general and adding a little more perspective. As usual its all good between us!:D



Glad to hear.. you already know you have my utmost respect!

[michael_loomis]

wow.. was reading the Jason Whitlock (he is black) column about the deal on Fox sports.. and in his best Chappelle inpersonation, he claims she is about to become a "rich B i t c h"

here is his exact quote: " I mean this in the most non-offensive, non-gender-specific, Rick James way, Mauricia Grant is not a Ho-Mo, she's a soon-to-be "Rich *****."

here is the entire link: http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/8234682?MSNHPHMA

are you kidding me??

calling her a B and it is ok!?! WHY!? cause they have race in common?

Sorry, I just couldnt stay zipped up for that one!!

[RGFan]

You are preaching to the choir there brotha (no pun intended) ;)

[Ryno]

It's the south, it's NASCAR, She'll get paid. 250 million? Think of it like this...it's like selling a vehicle...you post a price, then OBO, knowing if you jack it up a bit, you'll get what you want.

Black female. Oh boy, get out the comfy shoes because you'll be walking on eggshells. We just hired a black female engineer (they say) straight out of college. She knows less than nothing, but because she's black, she gets away with murder. So much for the good 'ol boys club.

[Ziggy]

??? I think your post is worth deleting

This is not a popularity contest and I am not interested in what you think.This is about another opportunist looking for easy money.Its no wonder a hot dog is $8 and a beer is $7 at a NASCAR event.

[Ziggy]

Can't hurt to ask for too much $$$. I'd go for a billion if I was suing Nascar.

People like you are the reason this society is so sue happy.Some day when insurance is too expensive and there is no racing you will ask what happened and maybe you will figure it out.

[Chris Tobin]

wow.. was reading the Jason Whitlock (he is black) column about the deal on Fox sports.. and in his best Chappelle inpersonation, he claims she is about to become a "rich B i t c h"

here is his exact quote: " I mean this in the most non-offensive, non-gender-specific, Rick James way, Mauricia Grant is not a Ho-Mo, she's a soon-to-be "Rich *****."

here is the entire link: http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/8234682?MSNHPHMA

are you kidding me??

calling her a B and it is ok!?! WHY!? cause they have race in common?

Sorry, I just couldnt stay zipped up for that one!!

I have never understood why it is acceptable for blacks to call them selves the "N" word and such...

[b-makk]

wow.. was reading the Jason Whitlock (he is black) column about the deal on Fox sports.. and in his best Chappelle inpersonation, he claims she is about to become a "rich B i t c h"

here is his exact quote: " I mean this in the most non-offensive, non-gender-specific, Rick James way, Mauricia Grant is not a Ho-Mo, she's a soon-to-be "Rich *****."

here is the entire link: http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/8234682?MSNHPHMA

are you kidding me??

calling her a B and it is ok!?! WHY!? cause they have race in common?

Sorry, I just couldnt stay zipped up for that one!!


That's pathetic! You remember the Tiger Woods uproar... Media is the media regardless of color. As a reader of that Whitlock story, you shouldn't even know what color the writer is. It's an article, it shouldn't come with color attached...

Double standard

[RGFan]

This is not a popularity contest and I am not interested in what you think.This is about another opportunist looking for easy money.Its no wonder a hot dog is $8 and a beer is $7 at a NASCAR event.

I do not have any issues with you posting discenting opinions, but if you do not care in what others think here, then why would you even post in the first place?

[Ziggy]

I do not have any issues with you posting discenting opinions, but if you do not care in what others think here, then why would you even post in the first place?

I dont understand your query.What does one have to do with the otherThis thread is for opinions and you know what people say about opinions.I never said that I dont care what people think ,I did however, say that I did not care about what that one individual thinks.If he thinks my post is offensive then he ought to send me a PM and we can discuss it.

[RGFan]

You do not understand my query????? You are contradicting yourself by posting here in the first place, responding to a thought of another you do not agree with and then when the person retorts, you do not care what they think, yet you respond. quoting that person's retort. As you stated, this is a thread asking for opinions, so if you do not care what somebody thinks who also is posting an opinion, why post? Sounds to me like you are just stirring the pot, rather then posting to convey your opinions on the topic presently at hand.

[DSRacing]

I'm feeling harassed.:(

[b-makk]

I'm feeling harassed.:(

Sexually?

[DSRacing]

Sexually?

No, I just got back from the gas station.

[Ziggy]

You do not understand my query????? You are contradicting yourself by posting here in the first place, responding to a thought of another you do not agree with and then when the person retorts, you do not care what they think, yet you respond. quoting that person's retort. As you stated, this is a thread asking for opinions, so if you do not care what somebody thinks who also is posting an opinion, why post? Sounds to me like you are just stirring the pot, rather then posting to convey your opinions on the topic presently at hand.

Good point, but I only care about my opinion.Its about time you caught on,stirring the pot is my middle name.Just having fun with you guys.:D:D:D.
Maybe COW was a little strong.

[fishd00d]

Speaking of Tiger Woods watch him whoop some ass this weekend at TP! Wonder if he will eventually sue the PGA for talking crap about him when he gets to old and cant win anymore.......nah hes not a douche bag like that :)

[bajafox]

Speaking of Tiger Woods watch him whoop some ass this weekend at TP! Wonder if he will eventually sue the PGA for talking crap about him when he gets to old and cant win anymore.......nah hes not a douche bag like that :)

My coworker was there yesterday, Tiger double bogied the first hole during warm ups. I hope his leg isn't bothering him. Wish I could go but tickets were out of my price range

(Sorry for the hijack)

Is anyone interested in the 91x Golf Pro Am June 30? I think I might try to make it this year

[michael_loomis]

I'm feeling harassed.:(


Sexually?


No, I just got back from the gas station.

YUP! definately sexually! LOL


My coworker was there yesterday, Tiger double bogied the first hole during warm ups. I hope his leg isn't bothering him. Wish I could go but tickets were out of my price range

(Sorry for the hijack)

Is anyone interested in the 91x Golf Pro Am June 30? I think I might try to make it this year

They just had a tourney at La Costa, and we sponsored a "hole-n-one" hole (hole 16). If anyone woulda hit a hole in one during the tourney, they woulda won a car!

[Chris Tobin]

I would say the lawsuit has merit and many of you would owe this woman an opology...

Here is the link to the nascar.com article:

http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/headlines/cup/09/21/two.officials.fired.lawsuit.mgrant/index.html

Here is the article:


NASCAR fires two officials named in Grant lawsuit
Knox. Moore accused of exposing themselves to Grant
By The Associated Press
September 21, 2008
03:27 PM EDT

DOVER, Del. -- NASCAR has fired two officials who had been suspended during an internal investigation into claims made in a $225 million racial discrimination and sexual harassment lawsuit against stock car racing's sanctioning body.

Tim Knox and Bud Moore were fired last week, NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said. He declined to discuss the reasons for their dismissal before Sunday's race at Dover International Speedway.

Knox and Moore are accused in Mauricia Grant's lawsuit of exposing themselves to her, and making graphic and lewd jokes. She worked as a technical inspector for NASCAR's Nationwide Series from January 2005 through her October 2007 firing.

NASCAR had placed Knox and Moore on indefinite paid administrative leave in June as it investigated her claims.

Grant, who is black, filed suit earlier that month alleging 23 specific incidents of sexual harassment and 34 specific incidents of racial and gender discrimination during the two-plus years she worked for NASCAR.

Her suit alleges she was fired as retaliation for complaining to her superiors about the way she was treated by co-workers.

Poston said NASCAR has concluded its internal investigation into the lawsuit. NASCAR has denied any wrongdoing.

"We've talked to dozens of officials and our personnel," he said. "That part of it is wrapped up."

The firings were first reported Saturday by NASCAR Scene.

Dean Duckett, another former technical inspector, filed a complaint this month against NASCAR with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging racial discrimination, a hostile work environment and wrongful termination.

Duckett, who is black, said discrimination started in May 2001 and lasted until NASCAR fired him from his job in the Cup series on Nov. 14, 2007.

He told The Associated Press on Saturday that he would consider a lawsuit if NASCAR refused to offer him his old job back.

Duckett was named in Grant's lawsuit. Her lawsuit claimed he was reprimanded and then fired last November for using "aggressive language toward a white co-worker."

Duckett denied harassing Grant, though he acknowledged NASCAR suspended him with pay for two weeks. Duckett was accused by Grant of dumping water on another female official to simulate a wet T-shirt contest.

Also there is another official suing now:


Former inspector issues discrimination complaint
By Dan Gelston, The Associated Press
September 20, 2008
10:47 PM EDT

DOVER, Del. -- A black former technical inspector filed a complaint against NASCAR with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging racial discrimination, a hostile work environment and wrongful termination.

Dean Duckett said discrimination started in May 2001 and lasted until NASCAR fired him from his job in the Sprint Cup Series on Nov. 14, 2007.

Duckett told The Associated Press on Saturday that he would consider a lawsuit if NASCAR offered him his old job back.

"I'm looking for something. Even if NASCAR was to offer me my job back, I would do that," he said. "If they wasn't going to offer me my job back, I'm shooting for a lawsuit."

Duckett said his problems started last Nov. 10 when he got into a heated argument with another official the night before the Phoenix race.

"I said to him, 'I ought to cut you.' I don't carry no blades or nothing like that," Duckett said. "It basically came out in the heat of the moment. We got into each other's faces but nothing happened. My roommate pulled me away and said, 'C'mon guys leave it alone,' and we left."

Duckett said he apologized, made up with the official and thought the incident was squashed. Instead, he said he was called the next day to NASCAR's at-track office and was sent home. Duckett said he was fired by Cup Series director John Darby and human resources director Star George.

"They took my life away," he said. "I loved my job. I put everything into my job. I feel they took away from my family."

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said on Saturday the stock car series was aware of the complaint.

Duckett was named in Mauricia Grant's $250 million lawsuit against NASCAR, alleging racial and sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful termination. Her lawsuit claimed Duckett was reprimanded and ultimately fired last November for using "aggressive language toward a white co-worker."

Duckett denied harassing Grant, though he acknowledged NASCAR suspended him with pay for two weeks. Duckett was accused by Grant of dumping water on another female official to simulate a wet T-shirt contest.

"She lied about that part," Duckett said. "NASCAR suspended me for that and I still don't even know why they did that."

Duckett, who said he now works two jobs and is falling behind in bills, said Grant was mostly telling the truth.

"I believe some of the stuff that was said," he said. "It's kind of funny that the stuff she said, I said already."

This guy sounds like a tool that is just trying to get money... If he was one of the ones doing bad things more than once why should he get money from them! He just wants to ride on her coat tails, all the way to the bank!