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Miami Herald
02-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
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.
Miami Herald
02-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Ex-General Mills employee alleges retaliation after he objected to ‘fun facts' Black history flyers
A Black former General Mills employee is suing the company for discrimination and retaliation, alleging he was fired after objecting to Black History Month flyers that referred to racist atrocities as "fun facts." According to the lawsuit filed in Hennepin County (Minnesota) District Court, L. Lee Tyus Jr., who worked at a General Mills facility in St. Paul for more than five years, said he raised concerns in February after the company posted flyers in the employee breakroom as part of its Black History Month recognition. The flyers, decorated in red, black, and green - colors associated with the Pan-African flag - included brief descriptions of historic injustices, such as the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre (also known as the Black Wall Street Massacre) and the Black Codes that preceded Jim Crow. They were titled: "Fun Facts About Black History," according to photos included in Tyus' complaint. Tyus found the phrasing offensive, according to the lawsuit, and asked the plant's human resources manager whether similar language would be used to describe atrocities involving white Americans. The HR manager allegedly responded: "No, it would just be labeled 'American Tragedies.' " Days later, Tyus said he raised the issue with the plant manager and his team lead, "explaining that the situation caused him to use his paid time off and exert time and energy to deal with General Mills' response, stating: 'Much like the massacre(,) I wish this didn't happen and I could put energy into something actually 'Fun' or doing the work as I have for years before now.'" When told no apology would be issued, he filed a formal complaint through the company's internal ethics platform. He was placed on leave the same day and instructed to submit medical documentation if he wished to return. "After learning he was being placed on an involuntary leave, Tyus Jr. responded that he was 'being retaliated against for my beliefs and aren't being allowed back to work which feels again like an injustice,'" the lawsuit said. When his leave ended, Tyus found his building access deactivated, the complaint says. Soon after, General Mills' Senior Employee Relations Lead, Tracey Hatchew, contacted him to discuss the allegations. She encouraged him to share her contact information with others who might also have been offended by the flyers. With his supervisor's approval, Tyus printed flyers listing Hatchew's contact information and placed them on the same breakroom tables where the original posters had appeared. On March 19, General Mills had Tyus escorted from the building and terminated his employment, citing "multiple violations of General Mills' standards of conduct and policies," according to the complaint. "General Mills has a national brand and a deep Minnesota footprint," Tyus' attorney, Naomi Martin, wrote in a statement. "That kind of presence comes with responsibility and a company of this size should be modeling what it means to support employees who speak up - not firing them." A spokesperson from General Mills wrote that while they cannot comment on pending litigation, "General Mills does not tolerate discrimination or retaliation." Tyus is seeking at least $50,000 in damages for each of three counts named in the complaint. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
