A recently filed federal lawsuit claims that an employee was terminated from her nursing position after repeatedly reporting incidents of racial discrimination and a hostile work environment at her workplace. The suit alleges that the employer failed to address her concerns and instead retaliated by dismissing her from her job.
The complaint was filed by Jennifer Mathis on March 19, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas against Symetria Health of Texas, LLC. Mathis is represented by attorney Alvin Adjei of HKM Employment Attorneys LLP.
According to the filing, Mathis began working as a Licensed Vocational Nurse for Symetria Health on June 10, 2024. She worked across multiple clinics in Houston, providing direct patient care and training new staff members. The complaint states that Mathis received positive feedback from supervisors and colleagues regarding her performance and professionalism during her tenure.
However, Mathis alleges that she experienced hostility from coworkers early in her employment. One colleague is described as having unauthorized access to patient charts using Mathis’s login credentials and displaying frequent temper outbursts. Despite reporting these issues to management and human resources in August 2024—including detailing an anxiety attack brought on by the alleged harassment—Mathis claims no meaningful action was taken to resolve the situation.
As a temporary measure, Symetria transferred Mathis to another clinic location but maintained her original assignment at Jersey Village as her “home location.” At this new site, Mathis alleges she encountered further discriminatory behavior from another coworker who made comments about Black patients such as “You know how they are,” and allegedly treated Black patients differently regarding medication policies. The complaint asserts that similar disparities were observed in the treatment of Black nurses compared to their white counterparts.
Mathis reported these concerns both verbally and in writing to human resources through Gregory Dargin, RN. According to the lawsuit, HR dismissed her reports by suggesting the accused coworker was simply “different.” The environment reportedly led two other nurses to resign due to similar experiences with the same individual.
Despite continuing to receive praise for her work—including being called an “amazing nurse” by colleagues—Mathis was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan shortly after making formal complaints about racism and hostile working conditions in November 2024. She contends that this disciplinary action lacked clear explanation or justification.
On or around January 15, 2025, Symetria terminated Mathis’s employment citing a “violation of company policy,” but did not specify which policy had been breached. The lawsuit argues this reason served as pretext for retaliation following her protected complaints about discrimination. Mathis maintains that similarly situated non-Black employees who engaged in comparable conduct involving medication handling or use of login credentials were not terminated but instead received lesser discipline such as written warnings.
The legal filing outlines several causes of action under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 1981 of U.S.C., and the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act (TCHRA). These include race discrimination, retaliation for engaging in protected activity (such as reporting discrimination), creation of a hostile work environment based on race, and wrongful termination under state law provisions.
Mathis seeks back pay including lost wages and benefits with interest; front pay or reinstatement; compensation for lost employment benefits; compensatory damages for emotional distress; punitive damages where permitted; reasonable attorney’s fees; costs; interest; equitable relief as appropriate; and any other relief deemed just by the court. She has requested a jury trial on all triable issues.
Attorney Alvin Adjei is representing Jennifer Mathis in this matter. The case is identified as Case No. 4:26-cv-02256.
Source: 426cv02256_Jennifer_Mathis_v_Symetria_Health_Complaint_Southern_District_of_Texas.pdf
