A Black gym employee says she was fired for calling out racism. A jury has awarded her $11.3 million.
CBSN
After she was hired by the high-end Equinox gym in 2018, Röbynn Europe, a Black personal trainer, was quickly promoted to oversee a group of 15 employees. But soon, she alleges, a White employee created a "toxic atmosphere" by repeatedly making vulgar comments about Black women's bodies as well as objecting to her being his boss.
Europe's employment didn't last long. Less than a year after starting at Equinox, she was fired — and the reason for the termination was the crux of a lawsuit she filed in 2020. She claims she lost her job because Equinox retaliated against her for calling out racism and sexism at the club, while the gym claimed her firing was due to her arriving late 47 times during her 11 months at the company.
Earlier this month, a jury of five women and three men sided with Europe, awarding her $11.25 million in damages, a verdict that includes $10 million in punitive damages against the gym, according to court records.