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MCAD Digest: Bloomfield v. MA Department of Correction…DOC Sergeant Sees His Discrimination Complaint Dismissed

Overview: In Bloomfield v. MA Department of Correction, the MCAD found in favor of the Respondent and dismissed the complaint from a DOC Sergeant alleging a racially-motivated hostile work environment, retaliation, and discrimination based on disability from diabetes. Many of the Complainant’s allegations fell outside the applicable statute of limitations, including some charges dating back to 1990. Those charges that were not untimely were neither credible nor sufficient to support the claims.

The hearing officer reasoned that the one-year gap between the protected activity of filing an MCAD charge and the Complainant’s subsequent termination was too long in this case to support an inference of causation. Additionally, there was credible evidence showing that the penalties imposed on the Complainant “were valid, job-related responses to misconduct, not punishments for complaining about discrimination.” The Complainant was disciplined for making false claims of misconduct against other employees and for lying about sleeping while on duty, not for making allegations of discrimination.

Decision Date: February 13, 2017

Docket Number: 09-SEM-01116; 10-SEM-01462

Hearing Officer: Betty E. Waxman

Claims: Employment discrimination based on race/color and disability, retaliation

Prevailing Party: Respondent

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