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Exxon Mobil Corp. is facing a federal lawsuit that alleges it failed to take sufficient action after five nooses were discovered at a facility in Louisiana, the Associated Press reports.
According to the lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a Black employee reported a noose he found at an Exxon complex in Baton Rouge in January 2020. At the time of the report, the company was already aware of three other nooses that were displayed at the same complex, but it declined to thoroughly investigate the complaints and take action to protect workers from such harassment, the suit alleges.
In December 2020, a fifth noose was found at the Baton Rouge complex, which includes a chemical plant and a nearby refinery, according to AP.
The EEOC further alleges in the suit that Exxon Mobil fostered a racially hostile work environment by not taking action against the hate symbol's repeated display.
In a statement on Sunday (March 5), Todd Spitler, a spokesperson for Exxon Mobil, said the company disagrees with the allegations, noting that it “encourage(s) employees to report claims like this, and we thoroughly investigated.”
“The symbols of hate are unacceptable, offensive, and in violation of our corporate policies,” Spitler said. “We have a zero-tolerance policy of any form of harassment or discrimination in the workplace by or towards employees, contractors, suppliers, or customers.”
Elizabeth Owen, a senior trial attorney in the EEOC’s New Orleans field office, said the display of nooses should prompt swift action from employers.
“A noose is a longstanding symbol of violence associated with the lynching of African Americans,” Owen said. “Such symbols are inherently threatening and significantly alter the workplace environment for Black Americans.”
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