Derease Walker, a former employee of United Airlines, has filed a lawsuit alleging racial and gender discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace. The complaint was filed by Walker herself on November 17, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against her former employer, United Airlines Inc.
Walker, an African-American woman who worked at Chicago O’Hare International Airport for 17 years as a customer service agent and alternate lead, claims she faced discriminatory treatment and harassment based on her race and sex. According to the lawsuit, Walker reported incidents involving verbal abuse and unwanted physical contact by coworkers and supervisors. One such incident occurred on November 20, 2023, when coworker Brian Daniels allegedly used a vulgar gender-based insult towards her and made unwanted physical contact. Despite reporting this to management, no corrective action was taken. Instead, Walker claims she became the target of retaliatory actions that included suspension on June 15, 2024, followed by termination on October 22, 2024.
The complaint outlines multiple allegations of hostile work environment and retaliatory conduct by United Airlines management. For instance, Supervisor Elisa Lafazano is accused of assigning overlapping tasks to Walker as a form of harassment. Additionally, Human Resources Partner Taylor Wiemer reportedly failed to take appropriate action after Walker complained about being physically handled by Supervisor Patrick Weinbender in March 2024.
Walker seeks various forms of relief from the court including declaratory judgment that United’s actions violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1981; injunctive relief preventing further unlawful employment practices; reinstatement with restored benefits; back pay; compensatory damages for emotional distress; punitive damages; removal of insubordination charges from her record; as well as coverage for legal costs.
The case is presided over by Judge Matthew Kennelly with Magistrate Judge Keri L. Holleb Hotaling assisting. The plaintiff is representing herself pro se while Audrey Gardner and Emma Baker from Jackson Lewis law firm represent United Airlines. The case ID is 1:25-cv-14046.
Source: 125cv14046_Derease_Walker_v_United_Airlines_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
