Employee sues after he’s told ‘all white people are cannibals’

The scenario: A white crew member thought he was being treated unfavorably because of his race. For instance, the staffer was discouraged from seeking a promotion because the hiring manager wanted a “minority worker” in the position.

He was also required to attend diversity training sessions during which he was ordered to explain his “white privilege” and told that it was impossible to be racist toward white individuals.

One day, a Black supervisor asked the white employee to step down from his leadership role so a person of color could take his job. The white man moved to a different position.

Another Black supervisor called the white employee a colonist, accused him of having white privilege and told him that he was at fault for all the injustices in the U.S.

A Black colleague said to the white staff member, “What could you possibly bring to our department, being a straight white male?”

And the white employee believed one diversity training session was particularly offensive. The trainer stated that all white people are cannibals, racism is in the DNA of white folks and white individuals are like the devil.

The white crew member repeatedly complained about the discriminatory treatment, but he was ignored.

Legal challenge: The white man sued for a racially hostile workplace.

The ruling: The employer lost. Over five years, the white staffer endured a ceaseless barrage of comments that disparaged his race and his alleged privilege.

The skinny: Keep in mind that white employees also have the right to pursue lawsuits claiming race discrimination. That’s why it’s best to be as race- neutral as possible in your communications and your decision-making.

Cite: Diemert v. City of Seattle, U.S. Court of Appeals 9, No. 25-1188, 9/28/26.

(From the October 16, 2026, issue of HR Managers Legal Alert for Supervisors. To start your no-obligation trial subscription to the publication right now, please click here.)