Ex-General Mills worker alleges race bias, retaliation

A former General Mills employee claims that he was retaliated against after he reported that racially offensive materials were distributed in the workplace. The employee has filed suit against the company, claiming that it violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

“General Mills has a national brand and a deep Minnesota footprint,” said Naomi Martin, attorney at Storms Dworak. “In my view, that kind of presence comes with responsibility, and a company of this size should be modeling what it means to support employees who speak up—not firing them.”

General Mills’ corporate communications manager Mollie Wulff wrote in an email to Minnesota Lawyer, “While we do not comment on pending litigation, I can share that General Mills does not tolerate discrimination or retaliation.”

L. Lee Tyus Jr. is a Black employee who began working as a packing technician at General Mills in 2019. According to the complaint, Tyus collaborated with his team well and received a performance appraisal in January 2025 stating that he was “on track” in all areas of the job.

A month later, the company acknowledged Black History Month. On the break room tables, the company displayed flyers with information regarding Black history. One flyer discussed the Tulsa Race Massacre, in which hundreds of Black residents were murdered by a white mob. Another flyer discussed Black Codes, rules that laid the foundation for Jim Crow.

Both of the flyers were titled “Fun Facts About Black History.” The text appeared in black, red, and green lettering, colors of the Pan African Flag.

Tyus approached Human Resources, expressing that he found the flyers offensive and discriminatory because they were titled “fun facts.” According to the complaint, when he asked whether similar events involving white individuals would be referred to as “fun facts,” he was allegedly told that they would be labeled “American Tragedies.”

As a result of the “inadequate response to his concerns,” the complaint says, Tyus used vacation and sick leave. Subsequently, Tyus emailed the plant manager, characterizing the flyers as “racially unjust, inconsiderate, hateful, and unprofessional.” According to the complaint, Tyus told the plant manager, “I wish this didn’t happen and I could put energy into something actually ‘Fun’ or doing the work as I have for years now.” He explained that the situation caused him emotional and financial injury.

According to the complaint, Tyus spoke with the plant manager and team lead about the flyers, and was apparently told no apology would be issued. After Tyus submitted a formal complaint to EthicsPoint, General Mills’ internal platform for ethics and compliance, he was placed on leave.

However, Tyus did not request accommodation or leave, and he asserts that he was placed on leave due to a perceived disability. The complaint says Tyus was told that the leave was in place for the company to understand his need for restrictions and what was required to work safely. He was allegedly told to submit medical information if he wanted to return to work. He was allowed to work in March 2025, but his access card was deactivated and he was unable to access his workplace initially when he returned.

He then spoke with General Mills’ Legal & Corporate Affairs Senior Employee Relations lead to discuss the flyers and the company’s response to his reaction. After this discussion, Tyus put a document together. He claims he received permission from a supervisor to place copies of the document on breakroom tables. It informed employees that, if they were offended by the flyers referring to the Tulsa Race Massacre as “fun” to reach out to General Mills’ Legal & Corporate Affairs.

Tyus was fired shortly thereafter. When he asked why he was being fired, he received an Employee Corrective Action Form. In the document, the company maintained that Tyus distributed flyers without prior authorization, remained on company property after being asked to leave, and was dishonest about a key FOB malfunction. Tyus claims that all of those allegations are false.

On June 27, 2025, Tyus filed suit in Hennepin County District Court. He is suing for race and color discrimination, disability discrimination, and retaliation for opposing discrimination.

Tyus is demanding a jury trial.