Honda Blocks Black Workers From Promotions

0
357
Honda Black Workers Promotions Lawsuit

In a proposed class action lawsuit, Honda Development & Manufacturing of America LLC stands accused of systematically blocking Black employees from achieving senior positions, allegedly by keeping promotion processes secretive. The suit, filed by Johnny Bush Jr. in Ohio federal court, claims that Honda’s promotional practices violate Title VII and Section 1981, effectively preventing qualified Black workers from advancing within the organization.

Honda Black Workers Promotions Lawsuit : Claims of Promotion Discrimination

Bush, a Black employee at Honda, argues that despite meeting all qualifications for leadership roles, he has been repeatedly overlooked in favor of white and other non-Black colleagues. “Despite plaintiff’s qualifications…he was not considered or selected for the leadership and supervisory positions or opportunities that he expressed interest in,” he stated in the complaint, adding that senior roles are consistently awarded to non-Black employees.

Serving as a staff administrator in Honda’s packaging fleet maintenance unit, Bush oversees supply chain operations across Honda’s facilities in Ohio, Indiana, and Alabama. Additionally, he works as group lead in supplier account management. Yet, while non-Black group leads hold the title and compensation of a staff engineer, Bush said he has only been permitted to retain his role as a staff administrator, thereby missing out on a commensurate pay increase.

Lack of Transparency in Promotion Process

According to Bush, Honda’s promotional practices are cloaked in secrecy, creating hurdles for Black employees. Job openings for senior positions are not publicly posted and are instead informally shared, giving non-Black employees an advantage. “Such ‘word-of-mouth’ information disproportionately excluded or disadvantaged African American employees,” he stated, adding that Honda’s approach prevented Black workers from competing fairly for roles.