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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Black worker at Halliburton claims racial, religious discrimination in suit

The only black truck driver working for Halliburton in Tyler is allegedly Kevin Mauldin, who claims he was subjected to racial and religious discrimination.

Mauldin filed suit against the services provider July 23 in the U.S. District Court, Beaumont Division.

In June 2006, Mauldin began work for Halliburton-Baroid. During the 15 months of his employment he had no history of discipline problems and received three raises, court papers say.

However, starting in November of 2006 Mauldin says he was subjected to "racial harassment and offensive work conditions," the suit says.

"Offensive racial jokes were told in (Mauldin's) presence by his manager and others. The manager … also displayed a Confederate flag on his desk, which plaintiff found offensive."

In his suit, Mauldin says he was further discriminated against by being told that he could no longer drive 15 hours per day and could only work a maximum of 12 hours – costing him "substantial overtime pay."

Mauldin's suit goes on to allege that he had been working seven days a week and missed the opportunity to attend religious services at his church.

"Plaintiff is a member of a Jehovah's Witness church where he had a history of worshiping prior to working for defendant," the complaint states.

Mauldin alleges his supervisor kept him from attending services.

According to the hours claimed in Mauldin's suit, he would have been working 84 hours a week – still accumulating 44 hours of overtime after his work day was cut from 15 to 12 hours.

"Plaintiff was ultimately fired (on) trumped-up false charges that he was trying to be paid for work he didn't do," the suit says, adding that his managers altered his time cards.

Mauldin is suing for enhanced damages.

He is demanding a trial by jury, and is represented by the John Schulman Law Firm.

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Juge Michael H. Schneider.

Case No. 6:08-cv-00297-MHS

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