Black Worker Wins $10 Million in Stanford Health Care Racial Harassment Case

Workplaces should be places of professionalism and mutual respect. Yet, for some workers, they become environments where discrimination and harassment thrive unchecked. For one health care worker at Stanford Health Care, her struggle with racial discrimination, harassment and retaliation within her workplace led to a years-long legal battle. She was ultimately awarded $10 million in damages after speaking out against the unlawful treatment she experienced.

Qiqiuia Young, a Black patient testing technician, filed a lawsuit against Stanford Health Care in 2017. According to her allegations, coworkers used racial slurs like the N-word and mistreated Black patients. These actions created an intolerable work environment for Young.

One of the most egregious incidents involved a Stanford Health Care worker dressing as a member of the Ku Klux Klan during a Halloween event. A photo included in the lawsuit showed the staffer in a patient examination room. For Young, this was more than an isolated event; it symbolized a workplace culture that tolerated and normalized harassment and discriminatory behavior.

Despite her efforts to bring these issues to her supervisors’ attention, Young alleged that her concerns were ignored. Rather than address the behavior or create a safe work environment, management looked the other way. The inaction prompted Young to take legal action against her employer.

Young faced swift retaliation just one day after initiating legal proceedings. The Stanford dean and Stanford Health Care CEO emailed over 22,000 recipients attempting to discredit Young, implying that her racial harassment and misconduct allegations were dishonest.

The legal journey that followed was lengthy and challenging. It took nearly seven years for the case to reach its resolution. During a seven-week trial in Alameda County Superior Court, jurors reviewed extensive evidence and heard testimony about the discriminatory practices Young faced.

In March 2024, the jury found that Young had been subjected to racial harassment, discrimination and retaliation for whistleblowing. They also ruled that the email circulated by Stanford leadership was defamatory.

The jury initially awarded Young $20 million in damages. However, the presiding judge later reduced the amount to $10 million. Although the monetary award is significant, the case’s impact goes far beyond the dollar figure. It serves as a reminder of the consequences employers face when workers speak up about their failure to maintain a fair and respectful work environment.

Reflecting on her decision to pursue legal action, Young said, “I couldn’t turn a blind eye to what people were doing. I had to speak out. And when I did, they tried to silence me.”

Workers who experience harassment, discrimination or retaliation can often feel powerless. Reporting misconduct at work can raise concerns about retaliation. However, it is possible to hold employers accountable for their unlawful practices or inaction in addressing wrongdoing in the workplace.

California has robust labor laws that protect workers from harassment and discrimination. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act prohibits employers from discriminating against workers based on personal characteristics such as age, gender and race, among others. Additionally, workers who report misconduct are shielded from retaliation so that they can speak up without worrying about losing their jobs or being subjected to other negative consequences.

If you are facing similar issues on the job, you don’t have to navigate them alone. At McCormack Law Firm, we are committed to helping workers like you stand up to injustice. While we are not involved with this case, our San Francisco employment lawyers have the knowledge and experience to handle even the most challenging employment disputes. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to discuss your legal options.