Former Oregon Librarian Secures $250,000 Settlement in Multnomah County Racial Discrimination Case

An Outreach specialist for Books2U who received an employee recognition reward for promoting reading among children and adults, Alicia Byrd, has been awarded $250,000 in a settlement agreement with Multnomah County after filing a racial discrimination action in the workplace.

Three Former Staffers Claim Discrimination Against Blacks

Byrd is one of three former library employees of Multnomah County who jointly sued their employer in 2023 alleging discrimination against Black staff members.

After Byrd’s settlement, separate lawsuits were filed by Cathy Parham, a youth librarian, and Victor Allen, a health and safety manager.

The three filed a $942,000 lawsuit in May 2023 for emotional harm and legal fees. They alleged that retaliation measures were brought against them after they filed complaints of racial discrimination by library employees.

She Received an Employee Recognition Award in 2014

Byrd’s settlement follows her employment at the county library beginning in 2008. By 2014, she received an employee recognition award for her work promoting reading among all age groups.

In April 2019, she filed a racial discrimination complaint after her reassignment to a new position following funding cuts.

According to the lawsuit, an outside investigation found that Byrd was under more scrutiny than her white counterparts, that she was physically intimated by a coworker who swore at her, and that other coworkers described her as ‘scary.’

The description of the lawsuit was confirmed as accurate by the county.

Following the investigation, Byrd was appointed to an employee safety plan that allowed her a flexible schedule.

She could attend meetings remotely and was escorted from the building to protect her from coworkers. However, Byrd said managers mostly ignored the safety plan and she continued to face discrimination.

Byrd was placed on administrative leave in February 2023 and investigated for claims of intentionally falsifying her timesheet.

Then, on 5 April 2023, Byrd was fired after a coworker claimed she was not in her workstation at the beginning of her shift. Byrd said her termination was a retaliation because of her repeated racial discrimination allegations.

Byrd’s $250,000 settlement was made on condition that she drop her lawsuit and confirm that there would be no more ‘unreported workplace injuries.’ The settlement was made on the understanding that it was not an admission of guilt by Multnomah County.

Multnomah County Faces Two More Legal Battles

However, the county still faces a legal battle against Cathy Parham and Victor Allen.

Parham said she received a racist email from a coworker in April 2022. She alleges that supervisors failed to investigate and nine later she was accused of time management issues, for which she was fired that October.

Allen began working as a safety and security manager in May 2022 and soon thereafter alleged he was targeted because of his race.

His employment was terminated on 1 March 2024 as his employment was ‘no longer in the county’s best interest.’ His lawsuit claims retaliatory action because of his reporting discrimination.