Fired Reporter Claims Discrimination

Shanna Grove claims that she was fired from Tegna’s WZZM (Grand Rapids) after complaining that co-workers, primarily males, ignored COVID-19 protocols.

Grove said she was treated differently than male staffers and was called “‘entitled’” when she complained about symptomatic co-workers showing up for work.

The allegations of sex and gender discrimination and retaliation are contained in a lawsuit filed this week in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids against WZZM and Tegna.

Grove said that she voiced her opinion about her co-workers ignoring the COVID protocols in place. She says several situations in which co-workers, particularly men, ignored safety protocols, according to the lawsuit.

She reported that co-workers did not quarantine after attending “large events, such as a recent wedding. (Grove) made several reports to management that male photographers were not following mask-wearing protocols, thus putting reporters and anchors at risk of contracting coronavirus,” her Bloomfield Hills attorney, James C. Baker, wrote in the lawsuit.

Another female reporter made similar complaints and was “admonished” by the general manager, the attorney wrote. That reporter, who was not named, “became seriously infected with coronavirus,” Baker wrote.

While Grove complained about exposure to the virus, the general manager allowed “exposed and symptomatic employees to physically report to work without quarantining,” the attorney wrote.

She said that none of the men who allegedly violated protocols were fired.

“WZZM denies these claims,” said WZZM spokesperson Anne Bentley, “Our policies strictly prohibit retaliation in any form as a result of coming forward with concerns. We are committed to maintaining a respectful workplace free from all forms of discrimination.”

H/T M-Live