Catherwood LibraryILR School

NetJets is facing an impending lawsuit for adverse employment action based on racial discrimination by a former pilot, Bachir Abdouni. The lawsuit was incited because one of Abdouni’s colleagues, Charles Hake, called him a “Jihadist.” This was not the first conflict the two had with one another. Three years ago, Hake had to evaluate Abdouini’s flight training and Hake was so critical of his performance that he not only berated and questioned Abdouini’s competency, but he made him sit in the passenger cabin for the remainder of the flight. The incident was reported, however, NetJets didn’t respond in support of Abdouini and as a result, made him sign a “last chance” agreement in order to return to work. The agreement includes a provision in which the employee must waive any bias claims they have against the company. NetJets is trying to seek for summary judgment because of the “last chance” agreement, and that the “Jihadist” comment didn’t stem from racial discrimination. The two parties have representation and will go to Court in the near future.