Salesman sues Rooms to Go claiming discrimination

A Harris County man brought a lawsuit against his former employer for alleged discrimination and retaliation in 2013.

Garry Dennis of Houston filed suit against RTG Furniture of Texas LP d/b/a Rooms to Go of Dallas in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas on May 15, claiming violation of federal and state civil rights law beginning in January 2013.

The plaintiff was hired as a sales associate by the defendant in 2009 at its Woodlands location. The suit states that Dennis maintained excellent work performance but was suspended numerous times without just cause, impairing his ability to meet sales goals.

Dennis alleges that he was singled out for discipline and treated differently from non-African-American employees. According to the filing, a store manager accused Dennis of misappropriating a white salesperson’s customer on or about Jan. 26, 2013, whereas the plaintiff claims to have engaged the customer first.

When subsequent incidents of alleged disparate treatment resulted in increasingly difficult working conditions, Dennis contacted an HR staffer on or about June 10, 2013. Court documents indicate that shortly thereafter, he was terminated

The plaintiff alleges racial discrimination, a hostile work environment, breach of reasonable care, and intentional retaliation with reckless indifference to his protected rights.

Dennis seeks compensation for actual and punitive damages; pre- and post-judgment interest; attorney’s fees; expenses, and costs.

He is represented by Don Nguyen and Dasean Jones of Jones & Associates in Houston.

Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case 4:15-cv-01321