Culver's Employee Threatening A Lawsuit After Fellow Employee Constructs Racist Image

CHICAGO (CBS) – A 22-year-old African American woman and her lawyer are threatening a lawsuit and boycott against Culver's after a coworker created and left a discriminatory figure at the establishment.

Last month, Diamond Williams arrived for work at Culver's in Orland Park, WBBM's Steve Miller reports, to find a racist diagram depicting a burning cross and Ku Klux Klansmen. The image was made from drinking straws and upside-down white cups.

"I just feel like whoever did this was racist," Williams said. "Where I come from - my community and my people - we've been through stuff like this. So it's got a lot of meaning behind it."

Culver's originally had taken no action, except placing the 18-year old employee who constructed the image on temporary leave. Williams and her lawyer said Culver's should have done sensitivity training.

"When something like this happens, you have to respond like a business person immediately," said Attorney Cannon Lambert. "The person should have been terminated immediately. They should have had a meeting with the entire staff about one, this happened, and two, this is completely unacceptable."

Williams said she was the only black woman to work at the location. When the employee responsible returned to work, she quit and is now considering legal action.

"I was in total disbelief and shock," Williams said. "It's not a joke; it's not funny at all."

She felt hurt and afraid and didn't feel comfortable coming into the workplace.

In a statement, Culver's called the depiction "offensive" and "reprehensible" and they do not tolerate action of discrimination. After an initial investigation, the employee has been terminated. The restaurant will continue investigation.