Nicole Mitchell sues The Weather Channel

[Lightning]

I just saw on my facebook that former OCM Nicole Mitchell is sueing TWC.

Nicole Mitchell Sues The Weather Channel for USERRA Discrimination

I hope it's all right that I put a link to a video about this on here.

[Anistorm]

OH DARN. You beat me! xD

I am actually proud of Nicole doing this. What TWC did to her was not the right thing and I hope she does win this lawsuit. I'm actually surprised they made this public, it's a huge issue, especially in regards to military.

She posted this statement/news article as her status, in which I will add it here for those that do not have Facebook.

This is a partial answer to many questions you guys have asked about what happened at TWC. We finally went forward and spoke to the press today, which was nerve-wracking, and I will post the link to that conference when it is available.....

For Immediate Release

WEATHER CHANNEL SUED FOR MILITARY DISCRIMINATION
Air Force Reserve “Hurricane Hunter” Harassed, Loses Job over Service to Country
Atlanta, GA – June 4, 2012 – Air Force Reserve Officer Nicole Mitchell, formerly an on-air meteorologist for The Weather Channel (TWC), has filed suit against her former employers TWC, NBC/Universal and the private equity firms Bain Capital and the Blackstone Group. The suit comes after a pattern of unfair and discriminatory treatment by the network and its owners, who complained about being forced to schedule around Captain Mitchell’s military service.
Captain Mitchell, now a Major select, is a highly decorated officer who flies as a Weather Officer with the famed “Hurricane Hunters.” She brings suit under The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (“USERRA”) which prohibits discrimination and retaliation against service members due to their military obligations.
Mitchell was a popular meteorologist on the TWC’s top-rated morning show, “Your Weather Today,” where her military expertise contributed greatly to the network’s hurricane coverage and revenue. After TWC was purchased by NBC/Universal, Bain Capital, and the Blackstone Group in 2008, Mitchell was told by the new management that her military schedule “impacts everyone.” She was harassed for meeting her military obligations, told to clear any military assignments in advance, removed from “Your Weather Today,” and subsequently moved to less desirable shifts. Eventually she was that told there was no longer a place for her at TWC. Management cited “business reasons” and confirmed there were no performance or ratings issues with Mitchell.
The Weather Channel is now attempting to profit off of Mitchell’s own Squadron with a reality show about the Hurricane Hunters. In the series, TWC promises to emphasize the vital role played by the Hurricane Hunters who supply information to the National Hurricane Center from inside the storms. According to TWC, the show will feature those who “risk their own lives” for those whose “lives depend on them.” After dismissing Captain Mitchell for alleged “business reasons,” TWC avoided filming her during this series. Additionally, NBC/Universal is now a sponsor of the “Got Your 6” campaign, publicly vowing to support veterans, despite allowing NBC/Universal staff and managers to harass and then terminate the employment of a military veteran because it found her military service inconvenient.
The case is now headed into arbitration after TWC, NBC/Universal, Bain Capital and The Blackstone Group refused to allow the case to proceed in the Federal District Court and moved to enforce an arbitration clause. Forcing USERRA cases into arbitration is a problem. This is a distinct disadvantage to military members due to the costs, the intricacies of these cases, the effect of military regulations upon their duties, and the lack of any appeal process. Two United States Senators have introduced legislation, the Servicemember Employment Protection Act of 2012 (Pryor, AR) and the Servicemember’s Access to Justice Act (Casey, PA), that would render arbitration clauses invalid in USERRA cases and guarantee military members the right to have their cases heard in federal court. Mitchell hopes her case will raise awareness of military employment discrimination and the need to improve USERRA protections, so that other veterans do not have to go through what she has experienced.
###

[Zach]

It's about time! Hope all goes well Nicole!

[Lightning]

I think NBCU had everything to do with this lawsuite, I could be wrong, but that's my gut feeling.

[Mr. Rainman]

I do wish Nicole the best in this matter. NBC and TWC are going to get a lot of negative press about this, so I wouldn't be surprised if they try to settle out of court. Personally, I want to see this go to trial.

[toxictwister00]

I do wish Nicole the best in this matter. NBC and TWC are going to get a lot of negative press about this, so I wouldn't be surprised if they try to settle out of court. Personally, I want to see this go to trial.

That's most likely what will happen. Glad she's doing this, I would sue their butts too.

[Donovan]

Now we know what she's been doing for the last year, and I'm glad someone is doing something about TWC. I'm just wondering if Nicole's case will cause much more to be brought into the light not only within TWC, but with the other employee's that have "left."

[Mike M]

I do wish Nicole the best in this matter. NBC and TWC are going to get a lot of negative press about this, so I wouldn't be surprised if they try to settle out of court. Personally, I want to see this go to trial.

I won't be surprised either. IIRC, neither side won Marny Stanier's lawsuit against TWC for age discrimination.

[Localonthe8s]

I wonder if Alexandra Steele would follow suit too, unless her case is different. I miss Nicole. She had a charming personality on air. I rememer on her page awhile back that she was upset that management found her service to be an inconvenience. That was a while ago though

[IceManNYR]

Granted we are only getting one side of the story, it does seem like she has a valid case.

[twcclassics]

Not exactly surprising TWC treated her like crap. Glad she's suing. I really hope she wins.

[WeatherWitness]

Thank you, Lightning, for posting the video and Ana for posting that article from Nicole's Facebook.

As IceManNYR said, we are only seeing on side of the story, and according to a news report on FOX 5 Atlanta (link below), TWC claims that some of what she is saying is inaccurate (they didn't specify exactly what yet).  But I really wish her the best on this case, and hope she does win, as I think it is very valid.  I am very, very upset with TWC and almost screamed when I realized that they got rid of her because she was honoring her commitment in the Hurricane Hunters service but then have the nerve to air a long-form program about the Hurricane Hunters (obviously without her in it).

Also, HERE is the link to that news story and video I saw on Atlanta's FOX 5 network.  Hopefully the link hasn't changed to another story yet.  But getting her hair done???  You've have got to be kidding me.

[Zach]

I wonder if Alexandra Steele would follow suit too, unless her case is different. I miss Nicole. She had a charming personality on air. I rememer on her page awhile back that she was upset that management found her service to be an inconvenience. That was a while ago though

Alexandra was simply layed off from TWC due to lack of budget and such.. Nicole, on the other hand, got "layed off" because of her active service in the military.

Letting one go of their job due to military service is against the law, and what Nicole is doing is just right. She did not deserve to be layed off from The Weather Channel like how she was. She was doing her duty in the military, and that was why she could not be at TWC. Once again, I wish her the best and I really hope she wins the lawsuit. Such behavior by TWC is totally unacceptable and it's disrespectful towards the men and women that fight and serve for our country.

[TampaMillTWC88]

I miss Nicole Mitchell on TWC. Not only is she pretty, but she seems to have a nice personality too. TWC has done some real shady things to OCMs (and in general) over the years, and I thought it was wrong for TWC to fire her because of her conflicts with military service, which she had no control over. 

[Localonthe8s]

I wonder if Alexandra Steele would follow suit too, unless her case is different. I miss Nicole. She had a charming personality on air. I rememer on her page awhile back that she was upset that management found her service to be an inconvenience. That was a while ago though

Alexandra was simply layed off from TWC due to lack of budget and such.. Nicole, on the other hand, got "layed off" because of her active service in the military.

I highly, highly doubt that. They wouldn't can her right away after all those promotions for "Cantore and Steele". I heard it was about a contract issues but anyways...this case would be interesting.

When was the last time TWC was sued for something? Stokes and Andres case?