The United States Postal Service (USPS) is facing accusations of retaliation, harassment and intimidation from a longtime employee who alleges she experienced racism on the job.
Carla Thomas Vinson has worked for the USPS in Gainesville, Florida, for about 26 years. Everything changed last February.
Vinson, who is African American, overheard two white colleagues in conversation. Both used racial slurs, according to Vinson and a legal filing submitted by the USPS – which one of them would later repeat to her, directly, when recounting the exchange.
In an interview with the Guardian, Vinson claimed she had been subjected to “stalking, intimidation, bullying” after she complained about the incident. “I feel as though a company that I have invested so many years in has failed me,” she said.
The USPS declined to comment. “It is USPS policy not to comment on pending litigation or internal personnel matters,” a spokesperson said.