Momentum Solar, one of the leading US solar energy firms, is currently facing multiple lawsuits that allege it has engaged in discrimination, harassment and retaliation against Black employees. These allegations violate both federal and state laws protecting workers against such practices as well as raising questions about its ethics and culture despite its rapid growth within the solar industry.
Racial Discrimination and Hostile Work Environment
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One of the lawsuits, filed in July 2021, alleges Momentum Solar of creating and maintaining a hostile work environment for Black employees at its New Jersey field installation department. Plaintiffs, former and current employees of the company, allege they were subjected to racist slurs, derogatory remarks and references to nooses from both their managers and co-workers.
They allege they were underpaid, denied promotions and given less favorable jobs compared to white employees in a lawsuit filed against their company for segregating workers into three teams according to race: Spanish team”, white team”, and black team”. The lawsuit further alleges that Momentum Solar retaliated against its employees who complained about discrimination and harassment by firing, demoting, or cutting back hours – this time for Black employees who worked there since July 201712. It seeks to represent all Black employees working at Momentum Solar in New Jersey since then.
Momentum Solar’s Black workers in its New York field offices have filed another lawsuit alleging discrimination and retaliation by its supervisors and co-workers, along with claims of racism from customers, that was initiated and witnessed at their company.
Mark Venson claims he was fired for reporting such harassment he experienced and witnessed, including being called racist epithets, threatened with violence, denied training opportunities by supervisors/co-workers as well as denied training opportunities due to supervisors/co-workers failing to investigate or address his complaints effectively but instead terminated him under pretextual reasons.
Telemarketing Misconduct
Momentum Solar is being sued in multiple lawsuits alleging race discrimination as well as violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act by making unwarranted and unsolicited calls to consumers without their prior permission or approval. George Moore alleges he received numerous calls from Momentum Solar on his cell phone despite having registered with the National Do Not Call Registry.
Mr. Barlow claims Momentum Solar employed an automatic dialing system and prerecorded messages to solicit its products and services without first receiving his written express consent, failing to offer an opt-out mechanism and disregard his requests to stop calling him. His lawsuit seeks to represent all persons who received similar calls within the last four years from Momentum Solar.
Implications and Outlook
Momentum Solar’s legal troubles have brought to light its practices and culture, potentially having detrimental repercussions for its business and reputation.
They may also expose it to significant legal liabilities and damages as well as regulatory scrutiny or enforcement actions, although so far the company has denied any wrongdoing or liability; instead claiming they provide employees with safe work environments while adhering to all relevant laws and regulations; therefore it remains to be seen how these lawsuits will be resolved, with regards to what changes may or may not occur to address allegations made against it by shareholders or regulators against it.
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