EEOC Sues Wash U. For Firing Employee Who Complained About DEI Policy

EEOC Sues Wash U. For Firing Employee Who Complained About DEI Policy

On Wednesday, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) opened a federal lawsuit against Washington University in St. Louis for firing an employee in retaliation for her vocal opposition to mandatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training.

The lawsuit alleges that an African American senior program manager at the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center was separated from her colleagues based on her race during a mandatory training session hosted by the University’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. After the employee complained internally about the training and filed a complaint with the EEOC, the University eventually terminated her position.

In the lawsuit’s press release, Acting EEOC General Counsel Catherine Eschbach highlighted the irony that DEI policies can make Black employees feel uncomfortable.

“Despite expressing in advance that being separated from her white colleagues during a DEI training would make her uncomfortable, a black employee was subjected exactly to that treatment,” said Eschbach

“After she filed a charge with the EEOC, the employer decided to eliminate her position.”

David S. Davis, director of the EEOC’s St. Louis District, emphasized in the press release that federal law protects employees who raise concerns about discriminatory workplace policies, especially internal policies.

“Federal law protects workers who complain about race discrimination in the workplace, regardless of whether those complaints are made inside or outside the employer’s organization,” said Davis.

The EEOC lawsuit is not the first time Washington University has faced scrutiny over its DEI policies. The university had previously drawn federal attention for maintaining DEI policies, despite initially appearing to remove programs that could conflict with federal law.

Earlier this year, America First Legal filed a 165-page civil rights complaint against the University for continuing its DEI policies despite federal guidance from the Trump administration.

Among the policies under scrutiny were requiring “diversity statements” as part of faculty hiring, segregating Business School students by race in classrooms, and directing more than $3.1 billion in federal grants to prioritize research involving certain racial groups.

Megan Redshaw, an attorney at America First Legal, likened Washington University to an “indoctrination camp” instead of an institute for higher education.

“Washington University did not misunderstand the law. It chose to ignore it and preserve unlawful DEI practices through rebranding, bureaucratic maneuvering, and euphemisms,” said Redshaw.

“Washington University is supposed to be an institution of higher learning, not a DEI indoctrination camp.”

Commenting on the EEOC lawsuit, Catherine Eschbach added that all employees have the right to speak out against racially discriminatory policies.

“Employees have the right to oppose and complain about race discrimination in all aspects of their employment, including trainings, without fear of retribution.”

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