Employer’s Personnel Policy Resulted in Race-Based Discrimination June 23, 2022 After approximately 17 years of employment, an employee was advised the employer was going in a different direction and he was terminated. The investigation found substantial evidence of discrimination when recommendations were made to terminate the employee and hire a replacement, not of his race. Respondent asserted a bona fide business reason to terminate his employment as well as established a reasonably viable defense that Complainant was a political appointee and policy maker and therefore, not subject to anti-discrimination laws. A determination was issued on June 4, 2021. Following extensive research, it was determined that there was insufficient evidence to rebut the Respondent’s claim. As of March 31, 2022, the case was pending closure.