Talent manager sues Community Charter School of Paterson for alleged discrimination, retaliation
By Jayed Rahman
Published: January 26, 2021
A woman has filed a lawsuit against the Community Charter School of Paterson alleging discrimination and retaliation.
Daisy Marte, who worked as a talent manager for the school from January 8, 2018 through February 26, 2020, claims she was subjected to discrimination based on race, gender, and disability.
Marte, who is a homosexual, also faced retaliation, says the lawsuit filed on December 16, 2020. She alleges the discriminatory and retaliatory conduct was allegedly carried out by the school’s chief executive officer Curtis Palmore.
Palmore, who is African American, allegedly gave hiring preference to Blacks at the expense of other races. Marte, who is Hispanic, told him his views were contrary to equal opportunity employment. She says that created a dispute with Palmore.
“The foregoing disputes between Plaintiff and Defendant Palmore over equal employment opportunity issues resulted in her receiving ‘Requires Improvement’ performance ratings,” states the lawsuit.
Palmore allegedly told Marte “he does not like to hire or promote persons with disabilities, or family issues, because they cannot give their all to the job,” according to the lawsuit.
Marte also sought accommodation for her disabilities, anxiety post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), diabetes, panic attacks, and other ailments, but her requests were denied.
Palmore allegedly distributed her job responsibilities to three African American employees. He also gave some of her duties to outside Black consultants.
In one instance on May 17, 2019, Marte was suspended by Palmore for providing incorrect salary information for Patrice Singletary, a new Black woman hire. Palmore threatened to fire her for the error. A Black human resources administrator who also gave the same incorrect salary information was not disciplined, says the lawsuit.
Marte complained about the mistreatment to human resources, but the schools did not take any actions, says the lawsuit.
Palmore denied the allegations on Tuesday.
“The Community Charter School of Paterson vehemently denies Ms. Marte’s allegations and will vigorously defend them. The EEOC investigated her allegations and did not find any basis to them,” said Palmore.
Palmore indefinitely suspended Marte on February 26, 2020 after she was allegedly caught downloading information to support her discrimination complaint. Her lawsuit claims the information she downloaded was already publicly available. Her lawsuit does not state the nature of the information she downloaded that led to the termination.
Marte was hired for $70,000.
Marte allegedly suffered wage loss, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of reputation. She is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.
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