Worker says UF Health left her exposed after she reported a racial slur

The complaint says she stayed quiet at first, fearing retaliation and worried that a relatively new employee wouldn’t be believed. 

Weeks later, she raised it. On or about January 7, 2026, she told a coworker, who urged her to go to management. According to the filing, the report moved up through supervisory personnel to her direct supervisor, and the two met on or about January 8 to go through the incident. UF Health referred the matter to its Employee Relations department, and the worker says she cooperated fully, identified those involved, and – on or about January 14 – submitted a written statement at the employer’s request. 

Then came the part HR leaders will want to sit with. The complaint alleges that shortly after the investigation opened, a coworker involved in the December incident made a statement to the effect of: “Don’t be a snitch. You know snitches get stitches.” The worker says she took it as a warning aimed at employees cooperating with the investigation, that another employee overheard it, and that UF Health knew or should have known about it and failed to respond adequately. 

She also alleges the employer kept her working near the people she had reported. The complaint says UF Health did not separate her from those coworkers and did not restore a workplace free of what she describes as racial hostility, even as she repeatedly raised concerns and reported that her mental health was deteriorating. 

The filing states she later required emergency medical evaluation for anxiety-related symptoms, was prescribed medication, and began therapy. She says she continues to incur medical expenses and to experience emotional distress.