WSMS responds to discrimination claim 11/23/2009 10:31 PM By MIKE GELLATLY Staff writer
A Savannah River Site employer accused of racial and religious discrimination by a former employee has denied any such conduct and said the employee was dismissed legitimately, in a response filed Monday in federal court.
URS Corp. safety watchdog Washington Safety Management Solutions (WSMS) is being sued for alleged discrimination against a former employee. Al Zeiny, 41, formerly of Aiken, now living in California, claims he was fired from WSMS three days after filing a complaint about his coworkers abusing him because of his race and religious practices.
In its response, WSMS claims it proactively deterred abuse toward any employee, and claimed an employee of any "religion, national origin or alleged protected activity," would have been fired as Zeiny was. Zeiny said he was singled out because of his Muslim faith and as someone of Egyptian decent. WSMS said it treated all employees equally and, specifically, acted to discipline Zeiny's co-worker when two derogatory e-mails linking Zeiny, his religion and culture to terrorism were reported.
"(Zeiny's) complaint was investigated, and the employee who sent the e-mail was disciplined," the response reads.
Zeiny claimed he was asked to sign a report after he was disciplined by the company. Zeiny said that the report was incorrect, so he refused to sign it. WSMS said the report was accurate, and Zeiny was fired for refusing to sign the report.
Zeiny admitted having unauthorized software on his company computer, namely the communication software Skype.
In its reply, WSMS said that action is worth disciplining any employee.
Zeiny also claimed he was racially profiled in one specific case when another person of middle-eastern decent interviewed for a job and he was asked if the pair were related. WSMS claimed this was mentioned because personnel had been told the pair were uncle and nephew.
The profiling extended to Zeiny's disk drive being sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation after he was fired, he claimed.
WSMS said in its reply that the FBI requested the drives.
Contact Mike Gellatly at mgellatly@aikenstandard.com.
Notice about comments:
AikenStandard.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. AikenStandard.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not AikenStandard.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Posted by: Andrew On: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 7:15 PM
Comment Title:
Racism in South Carolina how could that happen.....one part dumbass, one part redneck, and a head so big it can't make it through a normal door. What do you have? A typical South Carolinian and they'll never learn. What you find funny is harrassment, racist, and I'm glad this gentleman is standing up for himself.
Report Abuse
Posted by: cc On: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 9:58 AM
Comment Title:
Good point ALC but its Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
Report Abuse
Posted by: I AGREE WITH THE ALC On: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 8:20 AM
Comment Title: PROFILING IS NECESSARY
THE ALC (previous comment) is so right! Cowering and PC behavior toward these false accusations by mid-easterners is the process by which the enemy is slowly infiltrating and destroying our country. PROFILING (not false accusations) where necessary and logical is absolutely essential to the survival of America.
Report Abuse
Posted by: The ALC On: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 6:36 AM
Comment Title:
Muslims, Muslims, Muslims, ... I'm so sick of these false religion practioneers and the "Political Correct" who kowtow to their false allegations of discrimination that I am on the verge of praying to the "GOD of Abraham, Joseph, and Jacob" for their souls.
Report Abuse
4