HOUSTON — A former Harris Health System worker claims the company failed to address the racial discrimination and hostile work environment she faced from a co-worker.
Martiesa Smith filed a complaint Aug. 23 in Harris County District Court against Harris Health System and Precious Onyewuenyi alleging discrimination, hostile work environment and other claims.
Smith, an African-American, alleges in her pro-se complaint that while working at Harris Health, she faced discrimination from her co-worker Onyewuenyi. Specifically, Smith alleges that on Oct. 7 2020, Onyewuenyi called her "a black girl" after speaking with another co-worker in her native Nigerian language.
She further alleges that on Oct. 14, 2020, Onyewuenyi called her "the American" after speaking in her native language with a patient of the hospital. Smith claims she complained to "upper management" about the discrimination but was forced to resign in November of 2020, due to Harris Health failing to abide by their employment discrimination policies.
Smith seeks monetary relief of $20,500, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief.
Harris County District Court case number 2021-53072