Bay Pines VA Medical Center Police Officers Sue for Retaliation

Strategic Insights -

A group of police officers at Bay Pines VA Medical Center, the nation's fifth-busiest veterans hospital, has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs, alleging retaliation against employees who have come forward with complaints of workplace discrimination. The lawsuit claims that the officers were disciplined, denied training, and excluded from preferred assignments or promotions because they filed Equal Employment Opportunity complaints against Bay Pines. The incident follows a federal judge's scolding of Bay Pines for "discriminatory conduct" in November and a previous $3.73 million verdict against the VA in 2009 for retaliating against employees.

Key Takeaways:

  • The lawsuit, filed in Tampa federal court, accuses Bay Pines leadership of retaliating against seven current and former police officers who filed Equal Employment Opportunity complaints against the facility.
  • The complaints ranged from a Native American officer being called "cowboy" by the police chief to an officer accused of abusing sick time for taking time off for treatment of his traumatic brain injury.
  • Federal law bars the VA from retaliating against employees who file EEO complaints, but the lawsuit claims Bay Pines leaders seek to discourage such cases.
  • The VA has denied any discriminatory or retaliatory behavior, and Bay Pines officials declined to comment on the lawsuit.
  • The lawsuit alleges that a pattern of retaliation by Bay Pines leaders has caused several good employees to leave the facility, as they are afraid to come forward with information about discriminatory or retaliatory conduct.
  • In July 2009, a group of Bay Pines employees, including several doctors, won a $3.73 million verdict against the VA after a federal jury agreed the VA had retaliated against them.
  • In November, U.S. Magistrate Judge Tom McCoun ordered Bay Pines leaders to undergo remedial instruction on preventing workplace discrimination and retaliation, and barred future discriminatory and retaliatory behavior.

Statistics:

  • 95,000 patients were treated at Bay Pines VA Medical Center last fiscal year.
  • 3,000 employees work at Bay Pines VA Medical Center.
  • 7 current and former police officers are named in the lawsuit.
  • $3.73 million verdict against the VA in 2009 for retaliating against employees.
  • The lawsuit alleges a pattern of retaliation by Bay Pines leaders starting before a judge's order in November scolding Bay Pines for "discriminatory conduct".

Sources:

  • Levesque, William R.; Times Staff Writer; A group of Bay Pines VA Medical Center police officers has filed suit against the Department of Veterans Affairs, accusing the agency of retaliating against employees who come forward with workplace discrimination complaints.
  • Bay Pines, located in St. Petersburg, is the nation's fifth-busiest veterans hospital with 95,000 patients treated last fiscal year.