Tiffany Turner, a former nursing director at Philadelphia FIGHT, is suing the agency for allegedly firing her due to her race.
Turner, who is African American, worked at FIGHT from Dec. 4, 2023 to April 5, 2024, according to her 40-page federal lawsuit.
FIGHT provides comprehensive medical services to people living with HIV/AIDS in the region.
During Turner’s tenure at FIGHT, a variety of wrongdoings allegedly took place. For example, three FIGHT employees — including a registered nurse — would smoke marijuana during their lunch breaks. A FIGHT supervisor refused to take corrective action.
“The nurse who reported the incident resigned immediately due to fear of retaliation,” the lawsuit states.
Other wrongdoing alleged by Turner at FIGHT includes: an employee cheating on her timesheets; factionalism that rendered the workplace dysfunctional; lack of proper phlebotomy training; and white female nurses referring to a Black gay male nurse with derogatory terminology.
Turner claims she was retaliated against with adverse job actions when she tried to raise awareness about the wrongdoing, according to the lawsuit.
On March 12, 2024, Turner was urged by then-FIGHT CEO Jane Shull to speak to an outside law firm about a complaint and grievance Turner had filed. In an email, Shull assured Turner her concerns would be investigated thoroughly and impartially by the law firm. However, Turner didn’t feel comfortable speaking to the law firm without an attorney.
“Because I do not have counsel, I do not feel comfortable speaking to your office,” Turner wrote to the law firm in an email. “Please feel free to review my detailed complaint/grievance and complete your investigation.”
Alternatively, Turner wrote, she would speak directly to FIGHT’s board of directors about her concerns.
On March 25, 2024, Turner allegedly was physically assaulted by a colleague in a back hallway of FIGHT. The colleague allegedly harbored hostility toward Turner because Turner reported her for smoking marijuana during work hours.
The colleague denied assaulting Turner, according to court records.
On April 5, 2024, the colleague resigned during a staff meeting and threatened Turner by making the statement: “Be careful going into a place guns blazing, because bullets ricochet,” according to court records.
Later that day, at 12:30 p.m. on April 5, Turner was fired, allegedly because of her race — causing her to suffer mental distress and anguish, according to the lawsuit.
Turner subsequently filed suit in federal court in Philadelphia. On Jan. 17, 2025, the case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Gail A. Weilheimer. A jury trial has been requested.
Turner claims her civil rights were violated at FIGHT. She’s seeking reinstatement to her job and an unspecified amount in damages. She’s also asking FIGHT to pay for her attorneys’ fees and costs.
Ivo J. Becica, an attorney for FIGHT, issued this statement: “FIGHT does not comment on the specific facts underlying pending litigation. However, FIGHT is a diverse nonprofit organization with a 35-year history of serving the community and is committed to equal employment opportunity. FIGHT looks forward to defending these claims.”
Attorneys for Turner had no comment.