Shell sued for discrimination after white employees fired, given ‘tear jars’ as parting gift

Oil giant Shell USA is the latest corporation to be held accountable for the racial discrimination that has been a hallmark of the DEI era, and is facing a lawsuit over an alleged purge of white employees.

A lawsuit was filed this week in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas on behalf of two former workers who say they were fired from their longtime jobs and replaced with less qualified employees as part of a “racially discriminatory reorganization that targeted white employees.”

America First Legal (AFL) is suing on behalf of Kevin Taylor and Michelle Romak, who were ousted based on alleged discrimination over their skin color as a part of “radical diversity, equity, and inclusion mandates” that are clearly in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

BREAKING — AFL has filed a federal lawsuit against Shell USA, Inc. for allegedly orchestrating a racially discriminatory reorganization targeting white employees.

This is a major fight against DEI mandates gone wrong. pic.twitter.com/IfrYh8mvrP

— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) August 28, 2025

Not only were the two longtime employees kicked to the curb, but they were also grossly disrespected on their way out, allegedly being presented with “tear jars” by one of the DEI commissars at Shell.

“AFL’s clients were required to reapply for their positions and find backup roles despite stronger qualifications and performance reviews. Ultimately, one of AFL’s clients and her line manager were terminated,” America First Legal said in a press release.

“Following their termination, a supervisor presented both AFL’s client and her line manager with ‘tear jars’ as a parting gift—a demeaning act that underscored the contempt with which Shell and its managers treated loyal employees whose only ‘fault’ was being the wrong race,” the press release reads.

/5 Adding insult to injury, a supervisor gave them “tear jars” as a parting gift — a cruel, demeaning gesture. pic.twitter.com/Nbdp9MHkOz

— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) August 28, 2025

“Then, Shell expedited the transfer of AFL’s other client, the most experienced Security Advisor, to an off-site location with no Shell office. In total, and according to the facts of the complaint, each of AFL’s clients were subjected to illegal discrimination in violation of federal civil rights laws, and AFL will now seek to vindicate their rights in federal court,” AFL states.

“Shell’s apparently racially motivated purge trampled federal law, destroyed the careers of two dedicated professionals, and placed thousands of Shell employees at risk,” America First Legal Attorney Jacob Meckler said. “America First Legal will not stand by while corporations attempt to flout the rule of law in the name of ideology.”

“What our clients experienced should alarm every American,” AFL Attorney Juli Haller said. “If a corporation can openly discriminate against employees because of the color of their skin—under the guise of DEI—then no one’s rights are safe. America First Legal is proud to seek to hold Shell accountable and restore equal justice under the law.”

The company boasts on its website that it’s “working to become one of the most diverse and inclusive organizations in the world.”

“This is DEI in action: discrimination, humiliation, and lawlessness. AFL is fighting back in federal court to hold Shell accountable,” AFL said in a post to X. “No one should EVER be targeted because of their race.”