Former LBWL employee alleges race discrimination, hostile work environment in federal lawsuit

LANSING — A former employee of the Lansing Board of Water and Light has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Lansing, alleging he was subjected to racial discrimination, a hostile work environment and retaliation following a sexual assault he reported, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.

The plaintiff, Calvin McClinton, who is Black, filed the 20-page complaint on Dec. 8 claiming violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The lawsuit seeks economic damages, including back pay and future pay, as well as compensatory, non-economic, exemplary and punitive damages.

McClinton, who began working for the Lansing utility in May 2019 as a water production employee, alleges his treatment began after he was allegedly sexually assaulted in 2020 by a male co-worker during a company outing.

Amy Adamy, spokesperson for the Lansing Board of Water and Light, said Friday, Dec. 12, the utility couldn’t comment on pending litigation, but added: “We are aware of it.”

 

Allegations of retaliation, health concerns

According to the complaint, when McClinton reported the alleged assault, Director of Human Resources Michael Flowers allegedly told him that the male co-worker was “important to the Operations Department” and would not be moved from his position.

The complaint alleges that instead of transferring the accused employee, McClinton was transferred to Operations.

Flowers is also alleged to have told McClinton he was “just there to make money” and “just there for the insurance” and should be “grateful for being hired.”

The lawsuit details a series of subsequent transfers and work assignments that, according to the complaint, exacerbated McClinton’s severe health issues, including knee and back injuries and a heart condition.

The complaint states that McClinton suffered a knee injury in 2021 that required surgery due to heavy lifting and later suffered a back injury requiring steroid shots.

Following open-heart surgery in June 2023, his heart doctor provided a letter to LBWL’s Human Resources department stating that McClinton could not work around the lime and other chemicals in the water plant.

Despite this medical documentation and his health restrictions, the complaint alleges LBWL forced McClinton to work in the water plant, where he was in contact with hazardous materials like soda ash, lime, calcium and phosphates.

When he reminded management of his restrictions, the complaint alleges he was told by his supervisor, Tony Green, that he would have to go home if he did not work in the water plant.

 

Allegations of racial hostility, apprenticeship termination

The lawsuit also details allegations of racial harassment and a hostile work environment. 

McClinton contends he “endured many racial comments, negative work treatment based upon race,” and harassment from white employees and supervisors. The complaint states white employees incorrectly reported his work, such as shoveling snow or entering a timecard, “just because of his race.”

In 2023, McClinton enrolled in an apprenticeship program at Lansing Community College to advance his career at LBWL as an apprentice maintenance mechanic. However, the complaint states he was removed from the program by the Joint Apprenticeship and Licensing Committee on May 21, 2024.

He alleges he was removed due to substandard attendance and performance, a finding he disputed, noting his grade was incomplete following his knee surgery in January that year, which limited his ability to attend certain classes and perform required welds.

McClinton said his lead instructor, Scott Poe, agreed to work with him to complete the final welds needed to finish the program. Despite this, department leadership terminated his placement, according to the suit.

McClinton alleges it’s all taken a toll on his physical and mental wellbeing.

“Due to LBWL’s culture of racial hostility and discrimination, McClinton has suffered and continues to suffer from severe emotional distress,” the complaint says. “As a direct and proximate result of the failures of LBWL and its leadership, McClinton has suffered and continues to suffer from serious injuries, including but not limited to: health ailments to his heart, knee and back; racial discrimination; sexual assault; severe emotional distress; depression; mental pain and anxiety; past, present, and future medical treatment; and psychological harm and injury.”

 

Legal claims, demands

The lawsuit names the City of Lansing as the defendant, arguing that the LBWL is a governmental entity within the municipality. The complaint asserts four counts:

Count I and II: Racial discrimination under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and Title VII. The complaint argues the collective actions — including the handling of the sexual assault report, the director’s alleged statement about McClinton being “just there for the insurance,” multiple transfers without reason, forced work in the chemically hazardous water plant and termination from the apprenticeship program — constitute discriminatory treatment based on his race.

Count III and IV: Hostile work environment under Title VII and the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The filing claims LBWL’s actions created an “intimidating, hostile and offensive work environment” that substantially interfered with McClinton’s employment.

McClinton is represented by attorney Ayanna D. Neal of Grewal Law. The complaint states McClinton timely filed charges of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and received a right-to-sue letter on Sept. 9.

Neal said on Friday, Dec. 12, that her client just wants “justice.”

“I’m just looking for justice for him,” she said. “He’s just trying to work and make a living and wants to be treated fairly.”