CVS stores in New York City are being accused of racial discrimination against shoppers and employees.
A complaint was filed in federal court Wednesday on behalf of four former loss prevention employees at CVS stores in Queens and Manhattan. They allege they were instructed to target black and Hispanic customers while they looked for shoplifters.
"They're alleging that while they worked at CVS they were directed to engage in racial profiling of customers of color," said David Gottlieb with the law firm Wigdor LLP who is representing the plaintiffs. "And that they themselves were subjected to discriminatory, hostile work environments as well."
Gottlieb said his clients are themselves black or Hispanic.
The complaint detailed a number of comments reportedly made, including a manager telling an employee to “hide like a monkey.” Plaintiff Sheree Steele was reportedly told to, “Watch the black and Hispanic people to catch more cases.” Plaintiff Lacole Simpson was reportedly told, “these Black people are always the ones that are the thieves.”
In an email, a spokesperson for CVS, Carolyn Castel, said, "CVS Health has firm nondiscrimination policies that it rigorously enforces."
"We serve all communities and we do not tolerate any policy or practice that discriminates against any group," Castel said. "We are shocked by the allegations in this Complaint and we intend to defend against them vigorously.”
Gottlieb hopes the case goes before a jury.
"Our clients worked at a number of differnet stores throughout New York City, so this is not an isolated issue," he said. "This is, we believe, a much larger and much more institutional issue."