Late employee wins $11.25M in racism lawsuit.

Woman Awarded $11.25 Million in Racism Lawsuit Against Equinox

A New York City woman, Röbynn Europe, has been awarded $11.25 million by a jury after successfully arguing in court that she was terminated from her job at Equinox, a high-end fitness brand and gym, because she is black. Despite being late to work dozens of times in less than a year, jurors did not view this as a reason for separation from the company.

Equinox has been ordered to pay up after losing a race and gender discrimination lawsuit. https://t.co/uACdb20Xkp

— Black Enterprise (@blackenterprise) May 27, 2023

Allegations of Racism and Sexism in the Fitness Industry

Europe alleged that her 10 months with the company left her feeling targeted over her skin color and that she had been subjected to a hostile work environment. She also claimed that racism and sexism are pervasive in the fitness industry. During the civil trial, she lodged a series of complaints about one of her white subordinates, who was reported to be a man in his forties. Europ claimed the man used the word “lazy” to describe people he did not view as hard workers and once allegedly questioned if a black colleague might be “autistic.”

Jury Awards $11.25 Million

Equinox defended itself from accusations of racism during the trial and said Europe was simply let go for being late 47 times. The plaintiff did not dispute her attendance record at work but argued the company ultimately sacked her over her skin color. A New York jury of five women and three men, most of whom were white, agreed with her and ordered her former employer to pay her more than $11 million — $10 million in punitive damages and an additional $1.25 million to compensate her for her distress. Europe also said being fired contributed to the worsening of an eating disorder she had already been struggling with.

Equinox Responds

Equinox said it does not tolerate discrimination in any form and said jurors bought into the “sympathy and emotion” Europe brought to the trial. Attorneys intend to challenge the damages assessed. The company also called the ruling “extreme” and “unconscionable.”

Source: The Western Journal

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