A senior manager has filed a federal lawsuit accusing AT&T of allowing sexual harassment, racial discrimination and retaliation that she says created an abusive and hostile workplace, forcing her onto medical leave and costing her pay and career opportunities.
Bridgette Tolbert brought the case in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, alleging the telecommunications company is legally responsible for the actions of her former supervisor and for what she describes as the company’s failure to step in after repeated complaints.
According to the complaint, Tolbert was hired in late 2021 and later served in a senior circuit provisioning management role. She says problems began in 2023, when her then-supervisor allegedly engaged in conduct that became “sexual in nature, humiliating, coercive and hostile.” The lawsuit claims the supervisor sent sexually explicit messages and, at one point, verbally confronted her inside her home.
Tolbert alleges she reported the behavior through internal channels but that the company did not respond promptly or effectively. Although the supervisor was terminated in September 2024, she says the workplace atmosphere did not improve.
The complaint states that after she raised concerns, she experienced retaliation from co-workers aligned with the former supervisor. She claims she was excluded from meetings, isolated professionally and subjected to ongoing hostility and bullying that made it difficult to perform her job.
Among the alleged retaliatory actions, Tolbert says AT&T issued her a final written warning immediately after she returned from leave, denied her an annual bonus worth nearly $10,000 and continued what she calls “professional exclusion and continuing hostility.” She contends those steps damaged her reputation and limited advancement opportunities.
The lawsuit also includes disability-related claims. Tolbert says her physician and psychiatrist recommended a gradual return-to-work schedule of four hours per day for several weeks. The company allegedly rejected the request and failed to engage in what she describes as a “good-faith interactive process” to identify a reasonable accommodation. As a result, she says she remained on disability leave at reduced pay, delaying her recovery and increasing financial stress.
Beyond the harassment allegations, Tolbert claims race-based disparities in treatment, including inequitable bonus practices compared with similarly situated employees.
Through her attorney, Tolbert said she decided to seek relief in court after internal efforts did not resolve the situation.
“I stand by the allegations in my complaint and look forward to allowing the court to evaluate the facts,” Tolbert said.
She is seeking back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, and court orders aimed at preventing further discrimination or retaliation.
AT&T did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
