02-07-2025
Worker fired after reporting ‘offensive' Black history ‘fun facts', MN suit says
A worker fired from General Mills says the company retaliated against him after he reported 'offensive' Black History Month flyers distributed in a break room, according to a lawsuit recently filed in Minnesota.
L. Lee Tyus Jr. had worked for General Mills since 2019, but his employment was terminated in March 2025 despite a January performance review stating 'he was 'on track' in all areas of his job,' the lawsuit brought against General Mills by Storms Dworak LLC said.
His job performance was not the issue, Tyus' attorneys say.
In a statement to McClatchy News, a General Mills spokesperson said 'while we do not comment on pending litigation, I can share that General Mills does not tolerate discrimination or retaliation.'
In February, during Black History Month, Tyus' attorneys say General Mills put out educational flyers that were disrespectful. Some of the flyers covered atrocities faced by Black Americans — including the Tulsa Race Massacre, and Black Codes, which were a precursor to Jim Crow laws — but were titled 'Fun Facts About Black History,' photos shared in the lawsuit show.
'Tyus Jr. immediately reported his belief that the flyers were offensive and discriminatory as they described historic racial injustices as 'fun facts,'' the suit said, adding that he met with human resources to discuss the matter.
At one point, Tyus emailed the plant manager, calling the flyers 'racially unjust, inconsiderate, hateful, and unprofessional documents,' his attorneys said. He met with the plant manager a few days later but was told 'no apology would be issued,' the suit read.
Following that, Tyus 'submitted a formal complaint' through an internal platform used by General Mills — then was placed on involuntary leave, according to his attorneys.
When he tried to return to work on March 8, he discovered he couldn't access the building with his card, and fellow employees seemed to believe he was being denied access, the suit said.
He was contacted five days later by someone with the company's legal and corporate affairs department to talk about his 'allegations of harassment and retaliation,' and his belief that General Mills had not properly responded to his concerns over the 'fun facts' flyers, Tyus' lawyers said.
The company official then 'encouraged' him 'to share her contact information with others who may have also been offended by the 'Fun Facts' flyers, so they could also reach out to her,' the suit read. Tyus followed her advice and shared her information — with permission — on the tables in the break room.
However, on March 19, Tyus was escorted out of the building and fired, according to the lawsuit. The company said his firing resulted from 'multiple violations of General Mills' standards of conduct and policies.'
The suit is seeking monetary damages of $150,000.
