Racism and Sexism Alleged by State Insurance Employee
October 04, 2019
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An employee from Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro's office has accused Navarro and other staff members of harassment and discrimination based on her race.
At first glance, some of the incidents might seem minor. For example, the alleged touching of her cornrows, comments about her nails and high heels, and the rejection of her request to attend a work conference could be dismissed as trivial. However, when combined with other incidents, they paint a troubling picture.
One particularly concerning incident involved someone going through her office to find handwriting samples to determine if she had written an anonymous complaint letter.
Fleur McKendell, a manager in the Delaware Insurance Commissioner's office, claims that these actions, along with backhanded compliments, aggression, and unequal treatment from her superiors, have created a hostile work environment.
McKendell is accusing Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro and his subordinates of racial and sexual discrimination, as well as retaliation. Navarro and his deputy have denied these allegations, with the deputy claiming he was fired due to the controversy.
The state has offered McKendell up to a year of paid leave plus $15,000 to withdraw her claims and apply for another state job, according to an audio recording of a conversation between McKendell and a state human resources representative. However, McKendell declined the offer.
Now, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Philadelphia is investigating whether McKendell was harassed.
McKendell, 38, says she was targeted with inappropriate comments, unfair accusations, and denied professional opportunities because of her race and gender. She is the only African American manager in the insurance office.
"These are microaggressions that women of color often face in predominantly white workplaces," she said.
Additional Information (Added for Clarity and Depth):
Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional, expressions of racism or sexism. They can include comments or actions that demean or marginalize individuals based on their race, gender, or other characteristics. Research shows that microaggressions can have a significant impact on mental health and job performance.
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