Isaac v. North Carolina Department of Transportation

Seven African-American employees of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (“NCDOT”) sued their employer alleging causes of action under Title VII, 42 U.S.C.A. § 1981 (West 2003), and the North Carolina Constitution after a coworker displayed a noose in their workplace during Black History Month. NCDOT removed the case to federal court and moved for summary judgment. The district court dismissed the § 1981 cause of action and granted summary judgment to NCDOT on the state constitutional claims and the Title VII retaliation claims. The court denied summary judgment on the hostile work…