Walmart Ordered to Pay $4.4 Million in Racial Profiling Case
Walmart has been ordered to pay $4.4 million to Michael Mangum, an Oregon man who was racially profiled by an employee at one of their stores. The incident, known as the “Shopping While Black” case, occurred on March 26, 2020, at a Walmart in Wood Village, Oregon.
Details of the ‘Shopping While Black’ Incident
Mangum had visited the store to buy a refrigerator light bulb when he was confronted by Joseph Williams, a theft prevention worker. Williams questioned Mangum about why he was staring at him, to which Mangum replied, “Because you’re looking at me.” The situation escalated when Williams demanded that Mangum leave the store and called non-emergency police, falsely claiming that Mangum had refused to leave and threatened to “smash his face.
Employee’s History of Exaggeration and Misconduct
Investigations revealed that Williams had a history of exaggerating incidents when calling for law enforcement assistance. Court documents indicated that Walmart management was aware of Williams’ previous false reports to police officers and that local law enforcement had expressed concerns about his reliability.
Walmart’s Negligence in Supervising Staff
Williams was fired by Walmart in July 2020 for mishandling property. Mangum filed a lawsuit in December 2021, accusing Walmart of negligence in supervising Williams and failing to prevent foreseeable violations of customers’ rights. A Multnomah County jury ruled in favor of Mangum, awarding him $4.4 million in damages.
Company’s Statement on the Verdict and Discrimination Policy
Following the verdict, a Walmart senior director for national media relations issued a statement asserting that the company does not tolerate discrimination and believed the verdict was excessive and not supported by evidence.
Walmart’s History of Discrimination Lawsuits
Walmart, as one of the largest employers in the United States and globally, has faced numerous lawsuits over the years, including those related to allegations of discrimination. These lawsuits have covered a variety of issues, including gender, race, disability, and wage discrimination. Here are some notable cases and issues:
1. Dukes v. Walmart Stores, Inc. (Gender Discrimination)
One of the most high-profile discrimination cases against Walmart was Dukes v. Walmart, a class-action lawsuit filed in 2001. The plaintiffs alleged that Walmart discriminated against female employees in terms of promotions, pay, and training opportunities. The case eventually made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2011, the Court ruled that the class action could not proceed, stating that the plaintiffs did not have enough in common to constitute a class. However, this decision did not rule on the merits of the discrimination claims themselves.
2. Race Discrimination Lawsuits
Walmart has faced several race discrimination lawsuits. For instance:
- In 2009, the company settled a lawsuit brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleging that Walmart’s distribution center in Texas had discriminated against a black employee in job assignments.
- In 2018, Walmart faced a lawsuit from a group of former employees in Colorado who claimed they were wrongfully terminated and discriminated against based on their race.
3. Disability Discrimination Cases
Walmart has also been accused of failing to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. In 2010, the company settled a case for $12 million after the EEOC filed a lawsuit alleging that Walmart failed to make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities at their workplaces.
4. Wage and Hour Discrimination
Walmart has been accused of discriminatory wage practices. For instance, in 2008, Walmart paid $640 million to settle 63 lawsuits in 42 states alleging that the company had underpaid workers by forcing them to work off the clock and denying them meal breaks.
5. LGBTQ+ Discrimination
In 2016, Walmart settled a lawsuit with an employee who alleged that the company denied her spousal health insurance benefits because her spouse was of the same sex. The case was brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits sex discrimination, and was settled for an undisclosed amount.
6. Pregnancy Discrimination
Walmart has faced allegations of pregnancy discrimination. In 2014, the company revised its policies following legal challenges, ensuring more robust protections and accommodations for pregnant workers.
Current Status and Corporate Response
Walmart has made efforts to address these issues through changes in policies and corporate culture. The company has implemented various diversity and inclusion initiatives, aiming to foster a more inclusive workplace environment. Walmart’s legal and public relations teams often address these lawsuits, and the company frequently settles claims to avoid prolonged litigation.
