By Heart of Illinois ABC
BLOOMINGTON – A second former State Farm employee is suing the company accusing them of racial discrimination and retaliation.
Shashi Mandhyan said in a press conference Wednesday back in 2018, she faced countless incidents of racism from managers and co-workers.
Mandhyan said co-workers mocked her accent and called her ‘sushi’.
She says co-workers also called Indian people ‘dirty’ and ‘strange’ because they wear a red dot on their forehead.
“Mistreatment of minorities is growing, thriving, and rampant practice at State Farm,” Mandhyan said.
Mandhyan says when she reported to the ethics and compliance hotline and superiors about the remarks, she was ignored, her performance reviews tanked without cause, and then was terminated after 19 years at the company.
She has hired attorney Ben Crump to represent her.
“State Farm, you keep trying to talk about some policy you have, but the discrimination keeps happening and it’s harming real people,” Crump said.
In December 2021, former State Farm employee and Bloomington-Normal NAACP Vice President Dr. Carla Campbell-Jackson came forward with similar complaints of racism from co-workers and higher ups followed by termination.
“We shall remain resolute, unmovable, and steadfast in our pursuit of eliminating racism, discrimination, and retaliation,” Campbell-Jackson said.
After investigating the complaints, the Illinois Department of Human Rights determined that State Farm violated Mandhyan’s rights.
e shall remain resolute, unmovable, and steadfast in our pursuit of eliminating racism, discrimination, and retaliation,” Campbell-Jackson said.
After investigating the complaints, the Illinois Department of Human Rights determined that State Farm violated Mandhyan’s rights.
State Farm said in a statement that they disagree with the allegations.
“State Farm has long been committed to a diverse and inclusive environment, where all of our associates and customers are treated with respect and dignity, and where differences are valued,” the statement said. “These allegations do not reflect the State Farm culture.”
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