CoreCivic’s Termination of Employee Amid Mental Health Concerns Sparks Discrimination Claim

In Shelby, Mont., a prison and detention center management company, CoreCivic of Tennessee LLC, is set to go on trial to address allegations made by a former employee who suffered from anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions. The employee claims that his termination was in violation of both Montana wrongful discharge and disability discrimination laws.

The former worker, who had been employed as a unit manager for CoreCivic in Shelby, Mont., was dismissed from his position after being accused of retaliating against a Hispanic subordinate who had reported him for making fun of her accent. However, there are events leading up to the termination that suggest that CoreCivic used the incident with the Hispanic subordinate as a convenient excuse to dismiss the manager.

The jury will have to weigh both sides presented in this case. They may decide to believe CoreCivic’s explanation for the termination or they could conclude that the company seized upon the incident with the Hispanic subordinate as a way to conveniently get rid of the former unit manager. The trial aims to provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding the employee’s termination and whether it was in violation of the law.